Woodhead infuriates Blunkett

Woodhead is accused of political motive

By BBC News Online's political correspondent Nick Assinder.

The day Chris Woodhead sensationally quit as Ofsted boss he lit a fuse under Tony Blair and David Blunkett.

Now the inevitable explosion has erupted and, whatever they say in public, ministers are seething at the tone of his attack.

It is not just the fact that he has given the Tories a massive propaganda weapon or that he has ridiculed the government's "education, education, education" slogan.

What has so angered the government is the personal and vicious nature of his attack.

They point to the fact that, for six years, Mr Woodhead presided over much of the government's reforms.

And, privately, they will remind people that they stood by him during a series of clashes with teachers and controversy over his private life.

Blair put education top of his agenda

They also note the remarkable similarity between his remarks and current Tory education policy.

The very day he quit the rumour went around Westminster that he was looking for a safe Tory seat in the election.

Now it is suggested he might be looking for a peerage from William Hague.

'Apolitical' arguments

He has vigorously denied all this, insisting "There are no conversations that I'm having about Tory peerages.

"Heaven knows, in the future I might do anything, but that is not an issue that is on the agenda.

"The argument that this is a Conservative critique and I am making a party political contribution is absolutely ludicrous. These arguments that I am putting are apolitical."

But Mr Woodhead's remarks - coming on the day Mr Blair and Mr Blunkett launched their adult skills strategy - were clearly timed to do the greatest possible damage to the government.

So, many simply refuse to believe he does not have a political motive.

When he quit ministers knew he was planning an assault and, now he is a Daily Telegraph columnist, they know there will be more to come.

But they clearly decided the best strategy was to try and rise above it.

No slanging match

Blunkett stood by his man

Tony Blair said he believed Mr Woodhead did a good job when he was at Ofsted and his official spokesman declared: "He remains the author of the Ofsted report which pointed to very considerable improvements in schools for which he can take some credit, as can teachers and the government.

"The prime minister's view is that he did a good job and it is up to him to explain himself in whatever way he wants.

"We have no intention of getting into a slanging match with him."

Mr Blunkett adopted a similar tone although clearly found it more difficult not to hit back at the man he risked so much political capital on defending.

What ministers are relying on is that Mr Woodhead is so reviled by teachers and many parents - not to mention Labour MPs and unions - that his remarks will be dismissed with: "He would say that wouldn't he."

But they know they cannot ignore the substance of his challenges and need to see concrete improvements in the education service as the best way of defending their record.

What seems certain is that Mr Woodhead will persist with his attacks and, whatever his political motives may or may not be, is bound to repeat them during the looming election campaign.