A viral tweet by the Education Secretary “propagates a class war”, an opposition whip has warned.
Luke Evans was one of several Conservative MPs who suggested Bridget Phillipson should apologise for her post on X, formerly Twitter, during a Commons debate about VAT on independent school fees.
Around 5.8 million social media users have viewed the Cabinet minister’s post, made on Saturday, which read: “Our state schools need teachers more than private schools need embossed stationery. Our children need mental health support more than private schools need new pools. Our students need careers advice more than private schools need AstroTurf pitches.”
Mr Evans told the Commons on Tuesday: “This reeks of prejudice and propagates a class war and I’m sorry to say that (Ms Phillipson) isn’t here to defend that.
“Because I hope, actually, she’s a decent woman and I’d like to expect that this is something that she would apologise for.”
Conservative shadow Treasury minister Nigel Huddleston described the post as “shockingly ill-judged and ill-informed”.
After the…
