Bridget Phillipson tells critics to ‘leave London for a change’ to see scale of schools crisis as reform row escalates

Bridget Phillipson said she was being attacked by Tory shadow ministers and ‘their friends in the commentariat’ - (PA)

A war of words has erupted over Bridget Phillipson’s school reforms, with the education secretary urging critics to “try leaving London for a change”.

Ms Phillipson said she was being attacked by Tory shadow ministers and “their friends in the commentariat” all based in the capital, with many academies outside London struggling or failing altogether.