OUTGOING county education boss Peter Lawrence has launched a scathing attack on fellow Tories after losing the job.>

Savage attack on Tory group

Picture shows Peter Lawrence

OUTGOING county education boss Peter Lawrence has launched a scathing attack on fellow Tories after losing the job.

Cllr Lawrence launched his attack after being replaced by fellow Tory Cllr Mike Appleyard. The Tory group said the reshuffle of chairmen's positions was called to reflect the significant intake of new members to the council last May and to reflect the wealth of new talent and enthusiasm.

Cllr Lawrence said council chairman Ken Ross was 'in the grip' of 'power seekers' including Conservative group leader Cllr Mark Greenburgh and David Shakespeare, chairman of policy and resources. He said new education chairman Mike Appleyard was a 'strange choice' for the job.

He said: "There are power seekers and they have got different values to the values I've got. I think this could really be dangerous for the people of Bucks.

"I worry for the education service that a person is going to be put in there who has had no experience of education. I worry that damage will be done to the education service. I think he's a strange choice."

Cllr Lawrence, who represents Old Amersham, has been education chairman for a year. He said Cllr Ross was looking for a blank cheque from him to meet cuts of £30 million over three years.

Cllr Ross rejected the accusation that he was in the grip of power seekers: "In the final analysis it is my decision not the decision of anyone else."

Cllr Greenburgh said: "I am not power-seeking. I lead a group of members who are the managing group. It's nothing about personal power and gain and I'm sorry that Peter feels that way."

Cllr Shakespeare and Cllr Appleyard were not available for comment.

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