Teaching unions have reacted with fury to leaked text messages sent by former education secretary Gavin Williamson during the Covid pandemic, accusing him of showing 'secret contempt' for teachers. The WhatsApp exchanges, published by the Telegraph, include Williamson suggesting teachers were looking for an 'excuse' not to teach, and then-health secretary Matt Hancock calling teaching unions 'absolute arses'.
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said the messages exposed 'the chaos and duplicity at the heart of government'. Geoff Barton of the Association of School and College Leaders described an 'appalling lack of respect for teachers' at a time of national emergency.
The leaked texts come as members of the National Education Union in London and southern England prepare to strike over pay. Dr Mary Bousted, joint general secretary of the NEU, defended teachers' pandemic efforts, saying they worked tirelessly while the government 'dragged its feet' on providing laptops and free school meals.
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson called the comments 'a kick in the teeth' for teachers, while Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Munira Wilson branded Williamson 'one of the worst ministers ever to grace government'. Schools minister Nick Gibb defended Williamson, noting his wife is a primary school teacher and insisting he holds teachers in the highest regard.
