Boris Johnson is not a “good role model” for the nation’s children, the Government’s new social mobility tsar has claimed.
Katharine Birbalsingh, the chairman of the Social Mobility Commission, said that she “wished” the Prime Minister could be a good role model “but he isn’t”.
She told Sky News: “No, I do not think so, I don’t. I wish he could be but he isn’t and that is a bit sad.”
She added: “You know I like Boris, I don’t think he’s a bad guy… but I do not think that he is a good role model for children.”
Robin Walker, the schools minister, defended the PM and said: “I think actually anyone who leads this country is a role model, someone that children can look up to.”
Follow the latest updates below.
07:07 AM
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Good morning and welcome to today’s politics live blog.
Boris Johnson is expected to visit Tiverton and Honiton today as he heads out on the by-election campaign trail one day after trying to reset his premiership with a major speech in Blackpool.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, is in Belfast for talks with Stormont leaders on the Northern Ireland Protocol.
There is plenty going on in the world of Westminster today and I will guide you through the key developments.
