Boris Johnson waded into an angry row over the appointment of Toby Young to a new universities regulator today, claiming his ‘caustic wit’ qualified him for the job.
The appointment of Mr Young, a pioneer of Tory-inspired free schools, has prompted a storm of criticism better candidates were rejected for a Conservative supporter.
Mr Young has come under fire for a series of sexist, misogynistic and offensive tweets.
Ministers have insisted Mr Young’s ‘diverse experience’ qualifies him for the post and the Foreign Secretary insisted today he would offer ‘independence and rigour’.
But critics – including Tory MP Margot James – have branded his remarks ‘unacceptable’.
The appointment of Toby Young (file), a pioneer of Tory-inspired free schools, has prompted a storm of criticism better candidates were rejected for a Conservative supporter.
Boris Johnson (pictured last month) waded into an angry row over the appointment of Toby Young to a new universities regulator today, claiming his ‘caustic wit’ qualified him for the job
Ministers have insisted Mr Young’s ‘diverse experience’ qualifies him for the post and the Foreign Secretary insisted today (pictured) he would offer ‘independence and rigour’.
The board of the Office for Students (OfS) will open in April and be in charge of granting universities degree-awarding powers.
Mr Young is one of 13 board members including academics, officials and business representatives under chairman Sir Michael Barber, a former teacher and government adviser.
Since his appointment was confirmed this week, tweets referring to ‘hard-core dykes’ and attacking school wheelchair ramps as ‘ghastly inclusivity’ have emerged.
Other messages say ‘f*** you, penis breath’, call George Clooney ‘queer as a coot’, while at the Emmys in 2009 he wrote: ‘There should be an award for Best Baps.’
As the row grew today, Mr Johnson tweeted: ‘Ridiculous outcry over Toby Young.
‘He will bring independence, rigour and caustic wit. Ideal man for job.’
But Tory business minister Margot James broke ranks to criticise Mr Young.
She tweeted: ‘Toby Young is worthy of his appointment to the OFS but it is a mistake for him to belittle sexist comments by labelling them ”politically incorrect” a term frequently used to dismiss unacceptable comments about, and behaviour towards, women and minorities.’
Shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler said: ‘If she fails to rethink this appointment, the message Theresa May is sending to students is that under the Tories, misogyny and homophobia will not just be tolerated but rewarded.’
There have been questions raised about the Department for Education’s descriptions of Mr Young’s experience.
The Guardian said it had been told on Monday that Mr Young’s ‘diverse experience includes posts’ at Harvard and Cambridge.
But Mr Young later clarified that while he did teach students at the institutions, these were not academic roles.
‘I taught undergrads at Harvard and Cambridge and was paid to do so but these weren’t academic ‘posts’ and I’ve never made that claim,’ he told The Guardian.
In a statement, the DfE later said: ‘Toby Young’s diverse experience includes time at Harvard and Cambridge as well as co-founding the successful West London Free School.
‘This experience will be vital in encouraging new providers and ensuring more universities are working effectively with schools.’
But critics – including Tory MP Margot James – have branded his remarks ‘unacceptable’.
Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), said Mr Young’s appointment undermined the credibility of the OFS board
Sally Hunt, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), who said: ‘If this organisation was to have any credibility it needed a robust board looking out for students’ interests.
‘Instead we have this announcement sneaked out at new year with Tory cheerleader Toby Young dressed up as the voice of teachers and no actual representation from staff or students.’
On Twitter, writer Frances Coppola tweeted: ‘There can only be one reason for appointing @toadmeister to the board of the new Universities Regulator, and that is to promote Tory party policy on universities. He is otherwise wholly unqualified for the job.’
Mr Young, who tweets as @toadmeister, replied: ‘I’ve worked at Harvard and Cambridge, am a visiting fellow of the University of Buckingham, a Fulbright Commisssioner and, as the co-founder of four free schools and director of @theNSN, have some experience of innovation in the public education sector.’
Left-wing journalist Paul Mason tweeted: ‘Toby @toadmeister Young despises working class kids who try to make good through education.
Education Secretary Justine Greening confirmed the board for the new OFS this week ahead of it officially beginning work in April
‘That’s why the Tories have put him on a body responsible for regulating higher education.’
Mr Young replied: ‘I’ve helped set up four state schools that when full will educate nearly 2,000 children.
‘At the secondary, @33% are eligible for the pupil premium and we reserve 20% of the places at the primaries for same.
‘What have you done to help working class kids Paul?’
In an interview for the Spectator Coffee House podcast, Mr Young said he was ‘tangentially qualified’ for the role, due to his work on areas such as widening participation in higher education and setting up new state schools.
He suggested the reason there had been ‘such a fuss’ about his appointment was ‘because I’m an outspoken Tory and defender of the Government’s education reforms’.