A leading figure in the teaching union movement has lambasted education secretary Michael Gove for describing the campaigners against turning a school into an academy as "Trots".

Speaking at a meeting of the Commons Education Select Committee, the Conservative MP said that the campaigners stood in the way of improvements.

However, that statement has stirred an angry response from Chris Keates, leader of the NASUWT teachers' union, who said Mr Gove's comment "exemplifies the combination of arrogance and ignorance which drives the coalition's education policy".

She added: "It is unacceptable for the genuine concerns of parents, local communities and the workforce to be dismissed and derided in this way."

This comes shortly after Mr Gove was revealed to have awarded £2 million of public money to an organisation that he promoted as an adviser for four years.

Indeed, it has been confirmed that Mr Gove gave financial support to an organisation - the Community Security Trust - that distributes funds to pay for better security at a Jewish school.