Justine Greening was sacked as Education Secretary for blocking cut in university tuition fees, Theresa May’s guru claims
Nick Timothy said the fact she was replaced by Damian Hinds was ‘the bright point’ of this week's Cabinet reshuffle
JUSTINE Greening was sacked as Education Secretary for blocking cut in university tuition fees, according to Theresa May's former joint chief of staff.
Nick Timothy said her replacement by Damian Hinds was “the bright point” of this week's Cabinet reshuffle – but Jo Johnson, the former universities minister who was also moved, has hit back at the claims.
Mr Timothy, who was the Prime Minister’s policy guru, said Ms Greening had "exasperated" his former boss by "putting the brakes" on policies like free schools and standing in the way of a review which could have allowed universities to charge varying fees to increase competition.
The Putney MP walked out of the Government on Monday after turning down Mrs May's offer of a move to the work and pensions brief.
Writing in the , Mr Timothy said: "Greening was unpopular with officials, she frustrated reformers, and she exasperated the Prime Minister.
“Charged with making Britain 'the world's great meritocracy', she put the brakes on policies that work, like free schools, and devised bureaucratic initiatives of little value."
He denied allegations he had "orchestrated" Ms Greening's dismissal, but made no secret of his disdain for her record, accusing her of succumbing to a change-resistant educational establishment which he termed "the blob".
Mr Timothy said: "Greening blocked proposals to reduce tuition fees and refused to hold a proper review of tertiary education."
But Mr Johnson, who worked on the universities brief under her at the Department for Education from 2016-18, denied the claims.
He tweeted: "So wrong, this stuff re Justine Greening - she supported me in every single reform we undertook of our universities, was a terrific colleague and faultlessly loyal."
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Ms Greening had never dissented in public from Mrs May's proposals to allow new grammars and increase sponsorship of state schools by universities, private schools and the Catholic church, but "stalled as far as she could", said Mr Timothy.
He also lavished praise on Mr Hinds, the man who took her place at the Cabinet table, who is already being touted as a possible future PM, with Michael Gove calling him “incredibly impressive”.
The columnist added: "Hinds must be brave enough to do that, to ensure universities are better, fees are lower, and young people get the technical or academic education that suits them.
"He is already touted as a potential future prime minister: if he gets this right, he will be a convincing candidate for the job."