Birmingham Schools 'Target Of Extremist Plot'

Schools in Birmingham are being targeted by a campaign to impose hardline Islamic views on teachers and their pupils.

Ofsted chief Sir Michael Wilshaw said schools in the city were being run under a "culture of fear and intimidation".

He said successful head teachers had been forced out of their posts or "marginalised" leaving a "vacuum" leading to "a collapse in morals and a rapid decline".

The "steep and sudden decline" meant schools which were recently judged outstanding by inspectors were now found inadequate, he said.

In addition governors were exerting "far more influence on the day to day running of these schools than is either appropriate or acceptable".

Park View Academy has gone from 'outstanding' to 'inadequate'

Ofsted inspected 21 schools across Birmingham after allegations of an attempted takeover of the city's schools by Islamist extremists. Five have now been placed in special measures as a result.

Sir Michael said: "Some of our findings are deeply worrying and in some ways quite shocking, while a number of these schools are doing well and providing their children with a good, well-rounded education, there are others that give cause for grave concern.

"In the most serious cases, a culture of fear and intimidation has taken grip since the schools were last inspected. We found evidence that some head teachers, including those with a proud record of raising standards, have been marginalised or forced out of their jobs.

"This has left a vacuum in which schools previously rated good or outstanding have suffered enormous staff turbulence, a collapse in morale and a rapid decline in their overall effectiveness."

Golden Hillock has also been placed in special measures

He said that a number of head teachers had "reported that there's been an organised campaign to target certain schools in Birmingham in order to impose a narrow faith-based ideology and alter the schools character and ethos."

Inspectors found schools were not taking seriously enough their duty to protect children from extremism and radicalisation. One school had even invited a speaker known for their extremist views to give a talk.

Teachers reported  they were being treated unfairly because of their sex or religion and that boys and girls were not treated equally.

Sir Michael also placed significant levels of blame at the door of Birmingham City Council saying it had reacted too slowly.

He said: "Our evidence points to a serious failure on the part of Birmingham City Council, a failure to support schools in their efforts to keep pupils safe from the risk of extremism."

David Hughes says inspections were carried out in a 'climate of suspicion'

He has made a number of recommendations including better training for governors, better vetting of governors and a register of interests.

Schools will also be issued with guidance on what a broad and balanced curriculum should be.

Sir Michael's recommendations could raise big questions for Mr Gove's Free and Academy schools project, which gives schools more freedom over what they teach.

Speaking in the House of Commons after the publication of the reports the Home Secretary Theresa May said: "We need to do everything we can to protect children from extremism."

The vice chairman of the Park View Education Trust, which runs three of the schools put in special measures – Park View Academy, Golden Hillock and Nansen primary – has hit back saying the schools do not "promote extremism".

David Hughes said: "Ofsted inspectors came to our schools looking for extremism, looking for segregation, looking for proof that our children have religion forced upon them as part of an Islamic plot."

He said they would be mounting a legal challenge against Ofsted's findings.

The other two schools placed in special measures were Saltley and Oldknow.

David Cameron has ordered Education Secretary Michael Gove to carry out  "dawn raids" on the schools, which have been accused of covering up evidence of infiltration.

It comes after a row erupted between Mr Gove and Mrs May after the Education Secretary said the Home Office had failed to properly deal with extremism.

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Scottish Voters 'Not Getting Full Picture'

By Jon Craig, Chief Political Correspondent

Gordon Brown has told Sky News an independent Scotland would be a "more unequal country", despite the SNP's claims to the contrary.

In an exclusive interview with Eamonn Holmes marking 100 days to go until the referendum vote, he warned of serious economic consequences if the country splits from the rest of the UK.

The former prime minister said: "The SNP claims Scotland would be more equal - a fairer, more socially-just place - but actually, when you look at the policies, they're so keen to appease so many different people, they would end up making Scotland a more unequal country.

"The idea that oil is the solution to our problems is simply fantasy.

"We should not be led into this belief that somehow, the day after independence, everything is going to be wonderful when there are quite painful decisions that have to be made."

Asked by Holmes whether Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond had been telling "porky pies" about the true cost of independence, he replied: "I don't believe we're getting the full picture about what the consequences of independence are."

Mr Brown says Mr Salmond should apologise for a "terrible mistake"

In a wide-ranging interview, Mr Brown said he felt embarrassed when Mr Salmond staged his controversial Saltire stunt after Andy Murray's Wimbledon triumph.

He said the gesture was a "terrible mistake", "cheap" and "made Scotland look small".

But he also hit out at the Coalition Government's tactics in the battle over Scottish independence in the run-up to the referendum in September.

He claimed the tone of claims by the Liberal Democrat Treasury Chief Secretary Danny Alexander that Scots would be £1,400 a year better off by staying in the UK was "patronising".

"Last week when the Scottish Office and the UK Government put out that statement that Scotland would be £1,400 better off without independence, and they gave the example of (the amount of) fish and chips you could buy ... I thought that was patronising," Mr Brown said.

Asked by Holmes whether David Cameron had lectured Scots during a visit to his home country last month, Mr Brown said: "It was done for the right reasons but it looked like Britain versus Scotland.

"We've always been a nation. We've always had our institutions, we've always had our Parliament.

"The only issue that remains to be decided is if you want to break every link that remains with Britain."

Asked why he had stepped up his own efforts for the "no" campaign, Mr Brown said: "I'm a proud Scot. I want to put the case. I believe we have a strong sense of national pride.

"We're making a decision for my children's future. I'm not complacent but once I and others within Scotland make the case, I think we'll win this argument."

He was then asked: "What if you lose?"

"People will have to accept it," he admitted.

"The problem is this vote is almost irreversible.

"I think people will want to end the divisiveness and work together. We're adults with a vote (that) will affect generations."

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Heavy Rain Threatens Damage And Disruption

The Met Office has warned of a risk of damage and disruption from "potentially intense thundery downpours" in the next few hours.

It is the second severe weather warning for heavy rain issued in less than a week.

Surface water flooding, hail and gusting winds add to the risk, said the Met Office. Around 20mm (0.8ins) of rain is predicted to fall in an hour in some areas.

The weathers cover the east of England Pic: Met Office

Sky News Weather Presenter Jo Wheeler said: "Today's showers have the potential to give some torrential downpours, much like last week's stormy weather which saw a significant 18.2mm (0.7ins) of rainfall in just one hour in Suffolk.

"Thunder and lightning has already been registered through parts of the Midlands, and it'll be the Midlands, east of England, Yorkshire and southeastern England at greatest risk of further storms through the rest of the day. 

"Such showers will bring brief periods of unpleasant weather in the form of heavy rainfall, gusty winds and hail, with the likelihood of seeing some very localised flash floods.

"Such is the nature of showers however, that some parts of the country, even the eastern counties, may miss the showers entirely.  And the risk overall, diminishes this evening as the showers begin to die out or move away."

A yellow "be aware" weather warning has been issued by the Met Office for Yorkshire and Humber, the East and West Midlands, the East of England and London and south east England. The warnings are in force until 8pm tonight.

The fresh storm prediction comes after the Met Office issued a severe weather warning last week for Saturday with forecasts of heavy, thundery rain battering parts of England, Wales and southern Scotland.

Britons have been basking in sunshine between the recent storms

But fears that some places could see flooding and an entire month's rainfall in just one hour turned out to be misplaced, with Britain spared the worst as the summer storms swept the country.

The heaviest downpour was registered in Santon Downham, Suffolk, which saw 0.7in (18.2mm) fall in one hour, followed by 0.6in (16.4mm) falling in Bickley, Worcestershire.

It fell well short of the 1.2in (30mm) - almost half of the UK monthly average for the whole of June of 2.9in (73.4mm) - which had been forecast as a possibility.

Last month the Shard in London - western Europe's tallest building - was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm.

A recently published study by the Met Office and Newcastle University warned that climate change could result in heavier summer rainfall in Britain, which in turn could increase the risk of flash flooding.

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May: 'I Did Not Authorise Gove Letter Leak'

Trojan Horse: A Timeline

Updated: 1:48pm UK, Monday 09 June 2014

:: March 7 
A letter is sent to Birmingham City Council, apparently from an Islamic extremist, giving details of a "takeover" of Birmingham schools known as Operation Trojan Horse. The plot, it says, has seen four head teachers removed from post and replaced with Islamist appointments. It highlights 12 other schools that are to be targeted. The letter has now been widely denounced as fake but is thought to have been written by someone who was trying to draw attention to the problem.

:: March 10
Birmingham City Council launches a five-point response plan announcing a six-month investigation into allegations to be lead by former head teacher Ian Kershaw. A review group will oversee the work.

:: March 22
Park View Academy, one of the schools at the centre of the allegations is to be placed in special measures, according to senior education sources, who leak the details of an Ofsted inspection.

::April 14
Birmingham City Council announces Peter Clarke, the former Metropolitan Police counter terrorism boss, will oversee the Trojan Horse inquiry. Community leaders say it sends out the wrong message.

:: May 28
Head teacher Tim Boyes discloses he warned the Department for Education in 2010 about a plot by Islamic hardliners to infiltrate Birmingham schools.

:: June 2
A leaked Ofsted inspection on the Golden Hillock school finds it "failed to protect children from extremism".

::June 3
Former chairman of governors at Golden Hillock John Ray says he raised Islamist infiltration fears with John Major's government in 1994.

:: June 4
Comments by Education Secretary Michael Gove are leaked to The Times in which he is critical of the Home Office approach to tackling extremism.
In response the Home Office releases a letter from Theresa May to Mr Gove asking why his department did not tackle fears of an Islamist takeover plot when they were raised in 2010.

:: June 5
A leak of the Ofsted report into Golden Hillock school, run by the Park View Educational Trust, shows it is to be placed in special measures.

:: June 6
After three statements insisting they work well together, Mr Gove says he is "not at war with Theresa May".

:: June 7
Mr Gove is made to apologise for his comments and Mrs May's aide Fiona Cunningham is forced to resign for her response to The Times story. She told journalists: "Why is the DfE wanting to blame other people for information they had in 2010? Lord knows what more they have overlooked on the subject of the protection of kids in state schools? It scares me."

:: June 8
Downing Street releases some details of Ofsted reports on the 21 Birmingham schools that have been inspected as part of the Trojan Horse response.
Schools are accused by Ofsted of covering up evidence of infiltration and some are placed in special measures.
David Cameron orders Michael Gove to launch spot checks on schools.

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Freed US Soldier Was 'Held In Cage For Weeks'

Six Things To Know On Bowe Bergdahl

Updated: 11:11pm UK, Wednesday 04 June 2014

Everything you need to know about Sgt Bowe Bergdahl, the US prisoner of war released by the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Bowe Bergdahl had a variety of hobbies including ballet and fencing

The 28-year-old grew up in the small mountain town of Hailey, Idaho, where he was home-schooled with his older sister, Sky.

His devout Calvinist parents, Bob and Jani, taught their children about ethics and religious thinkers.

By all accounts, Sgt Bergdahl was a bookish teenager with a number of pursuits from skiing to shooting. He performed ballet, took up fencing and studied foreign languages.

He also became interested in Buddhism and tarot cards.

Sgt Bergdahl once tried unsuccessfully to join the French Foreign Legion, according to his father. He worked as a barista in Idaho before joining the US Army in June 2008.

The soldier reportedly became disillusioned with the US role in Afghanistan

According to a report in a Rolling Stone magazine profile, Sgt Bergdahl wrote an email to his parents saying he was "ashamed" to be an American.

He wrote: "The horror that is America is disgusting."

Members of his unit said Sgt Bergdahl kept mainly to himself. The New York Times cites platoon members as saying he wrote Jason Bourne-type novels in which he made himself the lead character.

He is said to have learned Dari and Pashto in his spare time and was reportedly traumatised after seeing an Afghan child run over and killed by an American armoured vehicle.

Members of his platoon say he sent all his belongings, including a laptop, home before vanishing.

Members of his unit have accused him of desertion

According to soldiers in his platoon, Sgt Bergdahl abandoned his post while on guard duty, with only a compass, a knife, water, a digital camera, a diary and possibly also a phone.

The New York Times reports that he left a note in his tent saying he did not support the American mission in Afghanistan and was leaving to start a new life.

The Pentagon concluded in 2010 that Sgt Bergdahl had walked away from his unit before he was captured by the Taliban.

Sgt Bergdahl may have attempted to escape during his captivity

The Taliban released propaganda videos during Bergdahl's time in captivity in which the prisoner, looking under-fed, denounced US foreign policy.

In one clip, a bald and bearded Bergdahl said he was "scared" he would not be able to return home. In others, he was seen eating and exercising.

In one video, he shouted at the camera: "Release me, please! I'm begging you, bring me home!"

In 2011, he is thought to have escaped briefly. When he was recaptured, it reportedly took five militants to overpower him.

"He fought like a boxer," a Taliban fighter told Newsweek.

There are claims US soldiers were killed as a result of having to look for him

Former members of Sgt Bergdahl's battalion and military officials have claimed between six and 14 soldiers died in the search for him.

But the facts seem murky, as so often in the fog of war.

Two of the soldiers whose deaths have been blamed on Bergdahl's disappearance died inside a US military outpost that was under Taliban attack, not while out searching for him.

Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel has said: "I don't know of any circumstances or details of US soldiers dying as a result of efforts to get Bergdahl."

He will likely face a court martial for desertion

Some have called for Sgt Bergdahl, who is said to be in stable condition at a military hospital in Germany, to be shot for desertion.

But that will not happen, according to Yale Law School professor Eugene Fidell, a specialist in military legal affairs.

He told Sky News the last US soldier to be killed for desertion, Eddie Slovik, was tied to a post and shot in 1945.

Prof Fidell thinks it more likely Sgt Bergdahl will face a court martial, a short sentence of confinement and a punitive discharge.

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MH370 Families Offer Whistleblower Reward

What Next In Search For Missing Flight MH370?

Updated: 10:50am UK, Friday 30 May 2014

By Jonathan Samuels, Australia Correspondent

The news that teams searching for missing flight MH370 have finished combing the patch of Indian Ocean 1,000 miles off the coast of Western Australia is a huge setback.

The search focused on that area because four pings - or acoustic signals - were detected almost two months ago which were thought to have come from the plane's two flight recorders.

Nothing has been found and now it appears the noises did not come from the black box recorders at all.

It has been rumoured for some time they could have been caused by the search vessels themselves.

Now the US Navy's deputy director of ocean engineering has said much the same.

"Our best theory at this point is that (the pings were) likely some sound produced by the ship ... or within the electronics of the towed pinger locator," Michael Dean told CNN.

"Always your fear any time you put electronic equipment in the water is that if any water gets in and grounds or shorts something out, you could start producing sound."

The pings may have come from another source - sound plays strange tricks that deep in the ocean - and the US Navy has officially said the comments are "speculative".

Either way, it looks like the search is back to square one.

So now it moves to a new stage. 

All existing information and data will be re-examined and the whole of the 23,000 square mile 'southern arc' will again be in the frame.

A bathymetric survey will be carried out, essentially mapping out the sea floor.

It is work already partly underway by the crew of the Chinese ship Zhu Kezhen.

Commercial contractors will then be brought in to carry out the new deep sea search.

It's possible they won't start for a couple of months, and the job will be both long and expensive.

Australia has previously said this work could cost around £40m. It is not clear how expensive the search operation has been so far.

Scott Hamilton, managing director of US-based aerospace consultancy Leeham, said all the data will have to be re-examined "from start to finish".

However, he does not believe the search will be called off any time soon.

"I think it will be some time, perhaps years, before they completely throw in the towel," he said.

And for some, news the search has ended in the area which has been the focus so far is, in a way, welcome.

Sara Bacj, whose partner Philip Wood is among the missing passengers, told Sky News: "If they'd found the hull of the plane under the water then our loved ones would be dead for sure ... (but) most family members are not willing to accept that.

"They believe something else has happened to the plane so this is validation for them that keeping their hopes alive is not crazy."

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Fifa Feels Heat Amid Fresh World Cup Claims

By Paul Kelso, Sports Correspondent, in Sao Paulo

Qatar deployed its political connections and natural gas wealth to help win the 2022 World Cup, according to allegations published by the Sunday Times.

For the second week running the newspaper has published details of meetings and deals that it claims demonstrate former Fifa executive committee member Mohamed Bin Hammam broke bid rules as he lobbied on behalf of his country's bid.

The Qatar bid deny that Mr Bin Hammam, since banned for life from football, was directly linked to the bid or worked on their behalf.

Fifa sponsor Sony has called on world football's governing body to investigate the allegations thoroughly.

Qatar deny Bin Hammam was linked to the bid or worked on their behalf

"As a Fifa partner, we expect these allegations to be investigated appropriately," the company said in a statement to The Sunday Times.

"We continue to expect Fifa to adhere to its principles of integrity, ethics and fair play across all aspects of its operations."

In a statement on Sunday, the Qatar Supreme Committee said: "Consistent with Fifa's rules we have been asked to refrain from commenting on the investigation and we will comply with that request.

"Qatar has won the bid on its merits and we are confident that at the end of the appropriate process, the award of the 2022 World Cup to Qatar will stand."

World Cup sponsor adidas said in a statement: "adidas enjoys a long-term and successful partnership with Fifa that we are looking forward to continue.

Fifa's Sepp Blatter declined to comment on the matter on Saturday

"Having said that, the negative tenor of the public debate around Fifa at the moment is neither good for football nor for Fifa and its partners."

The latest allegations, gleaned from millions of documents in the possession of the newspaper, suggest Mr Bin Hammam was in contact with bid officials as he brokered meetings between senior Fifa officials and the Emir of Qatar.

The newspaper alleges Mr Bin Hammam met Vladimir Putin, then the Russian prime minister, weeks before the vote in December 2010, to discuss "bilateral sporting relations".

Putin was backing Russia's 2018 World Cup bid, which beat England on the way to winning the right to host the tournament.

It also alleges Mr Bin Hammam helped broker a natural gas deal between his country and Thailand.

It reports that an advisor to Fifa executive committee member Worawi Makudi met senior Qatari energy officials to discuss a deal.

Qatar won the right to host the World Cup in 2010

Asked by Sky News if he was concerned about the allegation Mr Makudi said: "No, not at all."

The Sunday Times also claims Mr Bin Hammam brokered meetings between the Emir and nine senior Fifa executive committee members, and distributed £1.7m from a slush-fund to Asian football officials.

It says its latest disclosures prove that Mr Bin Hammam was actively working for the Qatar bid.

Qatar re-stated the denial issued last week after the newspaper alleged that Mr Bin Hammam paid around £3m in bribes to African football officials.

"The Qatar 2022 Bid Committee always upheld the highest standard of ethics and integrity in its successful bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup.

"In regard to the latest allegations from The Sunday Times, we say again that Mohamed Bin Hammam played no official or unofficial role in Qatar's 2022 Bid Committee."

Fifa President Sepp Blatter declined to comment on the matter as a meeting of the executive committee concluded in Sao Paulo on Saturday evening.

The governing body has charged US attorney Michael Garcia with investigating the allegations, and he will not report until after the World Cup.

Mr Garcia will be in Sao Paulo this week to discuss his investigation with Fifa officials.

He is also expected to attend the Fifa Congress starting on Tuesday.

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Extremism Row: 'Firm Discipline' In Tory Ranks

Gove: 'I Am Not At War With Theresa May'

Updated: 2:00pm UK, Thursday 05 June 2014

Michael Gove has said he is not at war with the Home Secretary over alleged Islamic fundamentalism in Birmingham schools.

The Education Secretary insisted that "Theresa May is doing a fantastic job" when questioned about the spat between the two over the way extremism is being handled by the Government.

His comments come after David Cameron said he wanted answers on the row between two of his most senior ministers demanding "the full facts laid before him".

As the row unfolded on Wednesday, Mrs May and Mr Gove made significant efforts to show a united front and issued three statements saying they were "working together".

Mr Cameron was forced to intervene after it was disclosed on Wednesday morning the Education Secretary thought that Mrs May was failing to properly tackle Islamic fundamentalism.

Mr Gove is said to believe extremism is the gateway to more violent behaviour and that the Home Office has refused to tackle it until it can be linked to terrorism.

Mrs May responded by making public a letter written to the Education Secretary in which she accused the department of failing to act over radical Islamists apparently targeting Birmingham schools despite warnings dating back to 2010.

On Thursday morning Mr Gove was asked if he was at war with Mrs May and replied: "Certainly not, Theresa May is doing a fantastic job. There's a lot going on."

When asked if she was too soft on Islamic fundamentalism he said: "No, absolutely not. She's doing a very fine job."

Justice Minister Chris Grayling admitted there were "tensions and debates" within Government over how to tackle Islamist extremism but denied a rift between the two.

Mr Grayling told Radio 4's Today programme: "They were very clear yesterday. They issued a statement to say that they are working very closely together on this."

He said the rows in the coalition were nothing compared to the Tony Blair/Gordon Brown days.

When asked if Mrs May and Mr Gove got on during his weekly radio call in session on LBC, Nick Clegg, who is also reported to have fallen out with Mr Gove on a number of education issues, said: "Ask them".

Shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt accused the ministers of being "asleep on the job" and said: "Instead of ministers rowing, we need leadership on how we confront the very serious and worrying reports about Birmingham schools."

Some 21 schools in Birmingham have been the subject of an Ofsted investigation after a letter, which is widely believed to be a hoax, referred to an alleged plot, known as the "Trojan Horse" plot, by hardline Muslims to seize control of governing boards in the city.

Earlier this week, Sky News disclosed one of the schools had been found to be "inadequate" after failing to protect pupils from extremism.

Inspectors found: "Students have a scant understanding of other religions, the focus is primarily on Islam."

Sky News also revealed senior leaders at three schools in Birmingham were so concerned about the influence of Muslim extremists in the 1990s they wrote a letter to education ministers, which was copied to then Prime Minister John Major.

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Tribute To Gareth Huntley Killed In Malaysia

A body found on Malaysia's Tioman Island is that of missing British backpacker Gareth Huntley, police have confirmed.

The 34-year-old, from Hackney, east London, disappeared on May 27 after going on a jungle trek.

His body was found less than 100m from the sea turtle conservation camp where he worked as a volunteer.

Mr Huntley's family said "no words can describe the void he will leave".

Mr Huntley with his mother Janet Southwell

And they thanked "everyone who came together in the last week to do everything in their power to help find Gareth".

Search personnel reportedly discovered the body in a pond close to a kayak storage unit at around 12pm local time on Wednesday.

Zakaria Ahmad, head of crime investigation in the eastern state of Pahang, said DNA tests confirmed the body was that of the Briton.

His girlfriend Kit Natariga also helped with the search

The cause of death has not yet been established.

Mr Huntley disappeared after trying to find a waterfall nearly four miles away from the camp in the jungles of the paradise island.

The backpacker had been volunteering in a turtle sanctuary on the island

He told friends at the turtle project he would be back by 2pm but failed to return.

His mother, Janet Southwell, and girlfriend, Kit Natariga, had travelled to the island off Malaysia's east coast to help with the search effort.

The family statement added: "There are no words that can capture the devastation we feel right now.

"No words that can capture the kindness, warmth and spirit that Gareth exuded; no words that can describe the void he will leave in all of the lives he touched.

"Gareth lived every minute of his life as fully as he could; never without a smile and always with others in his heart. You will never leave our hearts Gareth."

Search teams were backed by paramilitary commandos, multiple helicopters, speedboats and sniffer dogs in the latter days of the hunt following initial criticism of the Malaysian authorities' response.

Prime Minister David Cameron reportedly spoke to Malaysia's prime minister Najib Razak after receiving an open letter from Mrs Southwell in which she urged him to seek more resources for the search.

Mr Huntley, who was originally from West Yorkshire, was on a sabbatical from his job in the City.

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Parents To Be Punished For Kids' Bad Behaviour

Parents have been warned by Education Secretary Michael Gove they will face punishments for failing to ensure their children arrive at school "ready to learn and showing respect for their teacher".

Mr Gove has vowed to raise school standards "higher than ever before" as he set out an uncompromising vision to get rid of what he believes is a culture of low expectations.

In a speech to the Policy Exchange think tank, Mr Gove insisted mothers and fathers have to take responsibility for their children's behaviour or face sanctions.

He also hit out at teachers who "set children up to fail" by refusing to think they might be intellectually curious or capable of greatness.

Mr Gove said: "We need to ensure that those parents who don't play their part in ensuring their children attend school, ready to learn and showing respect for their teacher, face up to their responsibilities.

"We will, later this year, be outlining detailed proposals to ensure parents play their full part in guaranteeing good behaviour and outlining stronger sanctions for those who don't."

Mr Gove wants to eradicate what he thinks is a culture of low expectations

Sky's Darren McCaffrey said: "One idea Michael Gove is considering is deducting money from child benefit payments from parents who repeatedly refuse to pay fines imposed through persistent truancy.

"Although initially resisted by the Liberal Democrats, the Education Secretary wants to strengthen sanctions on parents to 'tackle the root causes of truancy and misbehaviour'."

The Education Secretary's approach has seen him clash numerous times with teaching unions, which have accused him of a "personal ideological crusade".

But Mr Gove rejected suggestions his reforms are too demanding, and added his reforming zeal would not diminish.

"I believe we have to embrace reform, lean in to the future, set standards higher than ever before," he said.

Mr Gove said he knew what "real barriers to success look like".

"I spent the first four months of my life in care," he said.

"Both my parents had to leave school at 15.

"My sister spent all her school career set apart from other children who were just as bright as her in a school for children with special needs.

"And I know what setting children up to fail looks like."

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