Teaching union's new head accuses senior Tories of 'hatchet job'

The head of a teaching union has said he plans to stay in post despite a "ludicrous" and "coordinated" attempt by his political enemies to undermine his position.

- Rajeev Syal Richard Adams

Matt Wrack, whose appointment as general secretary of the National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) last month led to a week of legal challenges and the reopening of nominations for the post, said he would stand in a new election as the nominee of the union's executive.

He also claimed "there is some coordination" in a number of media "hatchet jobs" from senior Tory figures, including the former ministers Michael Gove and Damian Green.

In his first interview since the row was dragged into the courts last week, Wrack also:

• Dismissed claims he did not have the necessary experience needed to lead a teaching union, saying "neither do many secretaries of state or senior civil servants".

• Reassured members he would not merge the union with the National Education Union.

• Said he had never downplayed antisemitism as claimed by reports, saying, "I'm not a Zionist, but I believe in a two-state solution."