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MPs snub choice for child supremo Balls dismisses appointment row
(about 3 hours later)
MPs have challenged the suitability of a woman picked by the government to be England's next children's commissioner. Ed Balls has dismissed MPs' concerns about the new Children's Commissioner saying she will not be "pushed around" and is the best choice for the job.
Former children's services chief Maggie Atkinson was nominated by Children's Secretary Ed Balls to take up the post. MPs said the nomination process should start again because Maggie Atkinson did not have sufficient "independence of mind" to stand up to Mr Balls.
But a committee of MPs told him to restart the selection process saying she had not shown enough effort to assert the independence of the role. But the schools secretary rejected claims he was "a bit of a bully" and has appointed Ms Atkinson anyway.
Children's charity Barnardo's said the MPs' snub "beggars belief" and Mr Balls has decided to appoint her anyway. He said she was "fearless" and "tough" and charities backed the decision.
Barnados chief executive Martin Narey said: "I am astonished that the select committee has failed to endorse the appointment of Maggie Atkinson as the new children's commissioner. Select committees only recently began scrutinising government appointments and this is the first time one has not supported the government's choice.
"Maggie is an excellent choice and will fearlessly and independently promote the interests of children in England. This verdict beggars belief." 'Bit of a bully'
'Independence of mind' Barry Sheerman, chairman of the committee for children, schools and families, said MPs from the three main parties had not been convinced of Ms Atkinson's suitability.
Labour MP Barry Sheerman, who chairs the committee for children, schools and families, said members had not been convinced of Ms Atkinson's suitability for the role. The decision to turn her down was taken unanimously, without a vote by all eight members, he said.
Mr Sheerman told the BBC: "Maggie Atkinson is a very competent woman but we just didn't think she had the independence of mind to stand up to a secretary of state who loves to get his own way."
Barry Sheerman MP: Balls is 'a bit of a bully'Barry Sheerman MP: Balls is 'a bit of a bully'
Mr Sheerman told the BBC's Today programme: "Maggie Atkinson is a very competent woman but we just didn't think she had the independence of mind to stand up to a secretary of state who likes to get his own way."
Describing Mr Balls as "a bit of a bully", Mr Sheerman said he thought the children's secretary's decision to ignore the committee's recommendation marked "a bad day for parliamentary democracy".Describing Mr Balls as "a bit of a bully", Mr Sheerman said he thought the children's secretary's decision to ignore the committee's recommendation marked "a bad day for parliamentary democracy".
Mr Sheerman, a recently vocal critic of Gordon Brown, denied that his committee's move was related to reports he is considering standing to be chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party. But Mr Balls told BBC Radio 4's World at One that the process of pre-appointment hearings was new and the guidance was that if the committee found new information or if the candidate's performance was "exceptionally bad" could it then choose not to endorse not to endorse them.
The decision to turn down Ms Atkinson was taken unanimously without a vote by all eight committee members which included MPs from all three major parties, he said. "Maggie Atkinson will be resolutely independent, she wasn't chosen by me she was proposed to me by a independent process," he said.
Bob Reitemeier, the Children's Society's chief executive, said he was "disappointed and surprised" by the committee. 'Personal bust up'
He added: "We believe that Maggie is a strong candidate appointed by a rigorous process." He said Mr Sheerman's description was not recognised by Barnados, the National Children's Bureau, or Action for Children.
The National Children's Bureau also said the committee was wrong to oppose her appointment. "That isn't Maggie's reputation at all, she is fearless, tough and independent... She's not going to be pushed around by me, I can tell you that."
Chief executive Sir Paul Ennals said: "Everyone who knows Maggie knows of her robustness, her independence of mind, and her strength of character." Asked about Mr Sheerman's description of him as a "bully" who did not like people standing up to him, Mr Balls said he had to make "tough decisions" but if he was not sensitive to other people's pressures he would not be good at his job.
The children's sector knows of the value of a strong commissioner and they will back Maggie to undertake that role with vigour and commitment Sir Paul Ennals MPs were unconvinced of Maggie Atkinson's suitability for the role
He had been on the interview panel which had arranged for her to be questioned by children as part of the process. "I don't recognise Barry's version of events at all, I don't think you will find many people in the children's world who do," he said.
"The children and young people judged her to be the best candidate for the post and the interview panel were unanimous in their recommendation," he said. BBC political correspondent Ben Wright said it was a "personal bust up" between two senior Labour politicians.
"The children's sector knows of the value of a strong commissioner and they will back Maggie to undertake that role with vigour and commitment." Mr Sheerman has criticised Gordon Brown and is reportedly considering standing to be chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party. Mr Balls is considered one of the prime minister's closest allies.
Dr Atkinson taught English and drama for 10 years before moving into a national training and advisory role on the national curriculum in the late 1980s. The Tories will raise the issue in the Commons at 1530 BST with a Parliamentary question about the appointment.
She became director of children's services in Gateshead in 2003. She was president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services until March 2008, and is currently chair of the National Expert Group on the Children's Workforce and national chair for the new Centre of Excellence in Outcomes.
Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: "Ed Balls seems more interested in getting in his own person to this role than hiring the individual who might be best for the job.Shadow children's secretary Michael Gove said: "Ed Balls seems more interested in getting in his own person to this role than hiring the individual who might be best for the job.
"Ed's candidate failed to convince this group of mainly Labour MPs that she was strong enough to stand up to him, and now he's being accused of bullying."Ed's candidate failed to convince this group of mainly Labour MPs that she was strong enough to stand up to him, and now he's being accused of bullying.
"Rather than go ahead in such a partisan way, the secretary of state should think again so that he gets the best person for the job and someone whose independence from ministers is not compromised.""Rather than go ahead in such a partisan way, the secretary of state should think again so that he gets the best person for the job and someone whose independence from ministers is not compromised."
Barnados 'astonished'
Ms Atkinson, a former children's services chief, was not doing interviews on Monday and said it was a matter for the government and the committee for children, schools and families.
But Barnados chief executive Martin Narey said: "I am astonished that the select committee has failed to endorse the appointment of Maggie Atkinson as the new children's commissioner.
"Maggie is an excellent choice and will fearlessly and independently promote the interests of children in England. This verdict beggars belief."
Bob Reitemeier, the Children's Society's chief executive, said he was "disappointed and surprised" by the committee and the National Children's Bureau said the independent panel which chose her were "unanimous in their recommendation".
Ms Atkinson taught English and drama for 10 years before moving into a national training and advisory role on the national curriculum in the late 1980s.
She became director of children's services in Gateshead in 2003 and was president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services until March 2008.