Gillian Keegan recorded saying others 'have been sat on their a***s' on school Raac crisis

Ms Keegan later apologised for the rant, describing her comments as "off the cuff" and "unnecessary".

In an interview with broadcasters on Monday afternoon, Ms Keegan insisted she wasn't referring to anyone in particular when she complained about people having "sat on their a***s" while the problems with unsafe Raac were being uncovered.

It was an off the cuff remark after the interviewer had pressed her quite hard, she added.
Responding to Ms Keegan's comments, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said: "Frankly, to see Cabinet members coming out today on an issue of such importance to our children and families, and simply try to blame anyone but themselves, including other members in their team, is to see farce now in this situation.

"Rishi Sunak needs to act. Will he have the strength to act? I doubt it."

Meanwhile, Stephen Morgan, Labour’s Shadow Schools Minister, said: "This is a staggering admission that Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives have done nothing to address a problem that they have known about for years.

"The Education Secretary has displayed staggering arrogance for saying she deserves a pat on the back for the chaos that is gripping our schools on their watch.

"Families, school leaders and school staff deserve an immediate apology for these appalling comments.”