Woodhead blames his resignation on government policies

Chris Woodhead today blamed Government policies for his decision to quit as chief of the education watchdog Ofsted.

Chris Woodhead today blamed Government policies for his decision to quit as chief of the education watchdog Ofsted.

He said he had found it "increasingly hard to defend some aspects of current policy" and planned to spell out in full his reasons at the end of his notice period.

He spoke after Education Secretary David Blunkett defended his own record against Tory attacks that the chief inspector's departure had left the Government's education agenda in "tatters".

Mr Woodhead, who announced his decision to resign yesterday, denied he was forced out by Mr Blunkett, who last night labelled his style "abrasive" - but he signalled tensions between the two had been rising.

Asked on BBC Radio Four's Today Programme if Mr Blunkett had wished him well, he replied: "He did say that. You will have to ask him if he meant it."

Mr Woodhead refused to apologise for his confrontational approach to his job and acknowledged that there had been growing tensions with ministers in recent months.

"I want the opportunity to say what I think on education and a range of cultural and social issues.

"It is no secret that I have become increasingly frustrated with some aspects of current policy. I have found it increasingly hard to defend some aspects of current policy."

Mr Woodhead, who will take up a job writing for the Daily Telegraph, also denied being a Conservative.

"I am not a Tory. I simply believe in children getting a decent education. I have never understood this right-wing, left-wing polarisation with regard to education."

He said he would spell out his full reasons for leaving once he had worked out his notice in three months time.