Sir Michael Wilshaw 'spitting blood' over Ofsted attack
The chief inspector of schools Sir Michael Wilshaw has said he was left "spitting blood" by attacks on Ofsted from allies of Michael Gove.
Two think tanks, one set up by the education secretary himself, are said to be preparing to call for a radical overhaul of the inspection regime.
Ofsted chief Sir Michael called on Mr Gove to call off the critics.
In an interview with the Sunday Times he said criticism of Ofsted's ideology was "nonsensical".
Sir Michael was appointed by the education secretary and the pair have been thought of as allies, with Mr Gove once describing the inspector as his hero.
But Sir Michael, who inspects children's services, as well as schools, in England, said he was "displeased, shocked and outraged" at attacks on Ofsted's inspectors.
"I am spitting blood over this and I want it to stop," he said.
"It does nothing for [Michael Gove's] drive or our drive to raise standards in schools.
"I was never intimidated as a head teacher and I do not intend to be intimidated as a chief inspector."
(continued, boot other foot...methinks.)
