John
04-22-2009, 06:08 PM
Dr Ken Boston, who quit as chief executive of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), has challenged evidence given by Mr Balls and Schools Minister Jim Knight to the Commons and to the official inquiry into what went wrong.
He told the House of Commons Schools Committee Mr Balls deliberately framed the terms of reference for Lord Sutherland's inquiry to place a "protective fence" around the Government and ensure blame was heaped instead on the QCA and contractor ETS.
Evidence against him had been "sexed up", Dr Boston said.
In a letter to the committee, he rejected what he said were attempts by ministers to portray him as "complacent and disengaged".
Dr Boston said that in evidence to Lord Sutherland's inquiry Mr Knight had wrongly claimed he was present at one meeting last June when the Sats tests were discussed when he had not even been invited.
He also challenged the inquiry's finding - read out by Mr Balls in the Commons - that ministers had "usually pressed" him for answers and that the QCA had given "strong reassurances" that the tests were on track.
"This too is fiction," he said.
Shadow education secretary Michael Gove said Mr Balls was accused of deliberately misleading the public.
"Instead of saying sorry, ministers concentrated on blaming others, giving an account of their activities which Ken Boston tells us was fiction.
"Ed Balls owes the teachers, parents and children who were let down by his deliberate failure a profound apology and he must come to the House of Commons to set the record straight."
Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws also called for Mr Balls to address the Commons.
"Ken Boston's evidence to the Select Committee casts serious doubt on the account of the Sats fiasco which has been given by Ed Balls," he said.
"It is extraordinary that he appears to be accusing the Secretary of State of being untruthful in the House of Commons - an extremely serious charge."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has rejected Dr Boston's complaints.
A spokesman said Mr Knight had already written to Lord Sutherland and the committee chairman, Barry Sheerman, explaining "an error" in the way the June meeting had been described.
"Lord Sutherland was clear in his response that this made no difference to his findings and stated that the 'clarification does not substantially alter the points that were made' and goes on to say that he was 'therefore satisfied that your (Mr Knight's) clarification does not affect my findings'," he added.
He told the House of Commons Schools Committee Mr Balls deliberately framed the terms of reference for Lord Sutherland's inquiry to place a "protective fence" around the Government and ensure blame was heaped instead on the QCA and contractor ETS.
Evidence against him had been "sexed up", Dr Boston said.
In a letter to the committee, he rejected what he said were attempts by ministers to portray him as "complacent and disengaged".
Dr Boston said that in evidence to Lord Sutherland's inquiry Mr Knight had wrongly claimed he was present at one meeting last June when the Sats tests were discussed when he had not even been invited.
He also challenged the inquiry's finding - read out by Mr Balls in the Commons - that ministers had "usually pressed" him for answers and that the QCA had given "strong reassurances" that the tests were on track.
"This too is fiction," he said.
Shadow education secretary Michael Gove said Mr Balls was accused of deliberately misleading the public.
"Instead of saying sorry, ministers concentrated on blaming others, giving an account of their activities which Ken Boston tells us was fiction.
"Ed Balls owes the teachers, parents and children who were let down by his deliberate failure a profound apology and he must come to the House of Commons to set the record straight."
Liberal Democrat schools spokesman David Laws also called for Mr Balls to address the Commons.
"Ken Boston's evidence to the Select Committee casts serious doubt on the account of the Sats fiasco which has been given by Ed Balls," he said.
"It is extraordinary that he appears to be accusing the Secretary of State of being untruthful in the House of Commons - an extremely serious charge."
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has rejected Dr Boston's complaints.
A spokesman said Mr Knight had already written to Lord Sutherland and the committee chairman, Barry Sheerman, explaining "an error" in the way the June meeting had been described.
"Lord Sutherland was clear in his response that this made no difference to his findings and stated that the 'clarification does not substantially alter the points that were made' and goes on to say that he was 'therefore satisfied that your (Mr Knight's) clarification does not affect my findings'," he added.