TORY leader David Cameron today defended Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly's decision to send her child to a é15,000-a-year private school for pupils with learning difficulties.

Mrs Kelly, a former Education Secretary, removed her child from a state school after deciding it would not cater adequately for their special needs.

The decision has provoked anger among Labour MPs, one of whom described it as a "slap in the face".

Mrs Kelly's Government colleagues have refused to comment directly on the decision, although Trade and Industry minister Margaret Hodge acknowledged there was a public interest in whether Labour MPs sent their children to private schools.

Tory leader David Cameron said he did not think the minister's decision was hypocritical but added that he intended to send his children to state school.

He told GMTV it was a "personal matter", adding that the minister was "a parent first, but we're all parents first rather than politicians" and "must do the right thing" for children.

'Hypocrisy'

"Some people are going to say it's hypocrisy. Well, if they were going to abolish private education then it would be hypocrisy but they're not.

"People should recognise that politicians like everyone else are parents first and will act in the best interests of their children."

Mr Cameron, whose son Ivan suffers from cerebral palsy, said: "I'd like my children to go to a state school, that's my intention, but you must always do the right thing as a parent."

Current Education Secretary Alan Johnson insisted the Government was trying to ensure the state sector offered the same level of service as the private sector.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "I'm not going to talk about personal issues involving a colleague and her child without any indication of what the facts are."

Mrs Kelly, a mother of four, is widely expected to issue a statement on the matter later today.

Mainstream

Present education policy encourages the schooling of children with learning difficulties within the mainstream state system where possible.

The private school in question grooms children with a particular, relatively common condition for entry into elite public schools such as Harrow and Winchester.

It is based in a country house in the Home Counties and offers its 60 pupils, aged 7-13, large amounts of one-on-one tuition, as well as the use of facilities including a swimming pool, tennis courts and music rooms.

The Mail on Sunday first revealed yesterday that a politician "closely involved in Tony Blair's education policy" had enrolled their child in the prep school.

They were said to have claimed the move was necessary because there was insufficient state provision to educate the child in their local area - something the local council denies.

The Mail on Sunday did not name the minister, school or condition involved in order to protect the identity of the child.

Reports

However, the Daily Mirror named Mrs Kelly as the Cabinet minister today and this morning broadcasters also reported the story and named the minister.

Norwich North MP Ian Gibson labelled the move "wrong" and said the minister involved should "set an example" and support the particular local school rather than removing their child to go private.

He said: "I deprecate anybody, any minister who chooses to do this.

"It's a slap in the face for the teachers and the pupils in the school that the child has been taken out of."

Ms Hodge told Sunday Live on Sky News: "There is a public interest in this story. I think, given our commitment to state education, it is an issue of public interest.

"However, I think the paramount importance is maintaining privacy for children."

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