Balls stands by his choice for key role; Committee's opposition is over-ridden.

Byline: Nicola Juncar

M Ps from the North have leapt to the defence of a council chief after her appointment as England's Children's Commissioner became embroiled in a political row.

Schools Secretary Ed Balls denied that Gateshead's children's services director Maggie Atkinson would be a political "patsy" as he defended her appointment.

His words came after a cross-party group advised Mr Balls to choose someone else. He refused.

Challenged in the Commons, Mr Balls insisted Ms Atkinson was "best qualified to be the strong, effective, and independent voice for children".

Shadow schools secretary Michael Gove asked why Mr Balls had gone against the independent scrutiny of the children, schools and families select committee, which came out against the appointment.

The Tories demanded an emergency Commons statement on the appointment after the select committee's Labour chairman Barry Sheerman branded Mr Balls "a bit of a bully" who liked to get his own way.

Mr Balls told MPs Ms Atkinson had been chosen after a rigorous selection process and on the recommendation of an independent panel, which regarded her as "clearly the most outstanding candidate" for the post.

She was also defended by Gateshead MPs Sharon Hodgson - who said Mr Sheerman needed to "grow up" - and Blaydon MP Dave Anderson, who cited "school tie snobbery" for the fall-out.

Mrs Hodgson, who is a former select committee member, said the appointment was a positive one for everyone involved with providing services for children.

She said: "The number one consideration should be the health and well-being of children across the country. Maggie has always made that her priority even when it has made her unpopular with politicians and she won't change that now. "You just have to look at the number of children's charities who have come out in support of the appointment to see that something is amiss with Barry's stance and if he is thinking of anything other than the best interests of our children then I suggest he needs to grow up a bit."

Her views were echoed by Mr Anderson, who said: "Maggie Atkinson is clearly respected by children's groups and is definitely the right choice as the new children's commissioner for England.

"I'm disappointed by the comments of the select committee chair and am deeply saddened that this is being turned into a pointless personality squabble.

"Maggie has been appointed in the right way and will make a fine commissioner. "I am worried there is a hint of old school tie snobbery because she doesn't have a plum in her mouth."

Mr Balls announced Ms Atkinson as the preferred candidate for the pounds 138,000-a-year role earlier this month after a lengthy selection process involving several interviews and senior panels. Under new rules she was then questioned by the select committee on October 12. Eleven members of the 14-strong committee present opposed her appointment.

Ms Atkinson, a previous president of the Association of Directors of Children's Services, will remain at Gateshead Council until January 31 and is expected to start her new job next March.

The current children's commissioner is Sir Al Aynsley-Green, originally from Bedlington, Northumberland. Ms Atkinson last night said her selection was a matter for the Government and the select committee and wouldn't comment further.

Gateshead Council and the Commissioner's office also declined to comment.

CAPTION(S):

SUPPORT Maggie Atkinson was strongly backed for the commissionership by Schools Secretary Ed Balls, right.