York MP Hugh Bayley has joined the growing ranks of Government ministers who have taken their children out of school during term time.

Hugh Bayley: always kept children out of politics

Mr Bayley is with a 100-strong group of between 20 and 30 MPs and peers who are with their families in the upmarket ski resort of Davos, Switzerland.

The news comes within days of a plea going out to British parents from Education Secretary David Blunkett not to take children out of school in term-time.

It will re-ignite the row over MPs including Prime Minister Tony Blair failing to observe Mr Blunkett's call.

Mr Bayley has only just been appointed a junior minister, having received a surprise phone-call on holiday from the Prime Minister asking him to join the Government's social security team.

Within days of Mr Blunkett's statement, Prime Minister Tony Blair came under fire for taking his children Euan, Nicky and Kathryn on a family jaunt to the Seychelles. Home Secretary Jack Straw has also taken his children on a trip and so has his Cabinet colleague Ann Taylor, it was reported today.

But Mr Bayley today furiously hit out at criticism of MPs taking their children on holiday during term time. He said: "I have always kept my children out of politics. I deeply resent the way you exploit children in this way. You make their life a misery. I wish you would not. It makes me furious. It is just not fair for the children. They have a rotten time anyway with a part-time dad. It is the only time of the year they are out of school. They have their head teachers' permission."

He said Benjamin, 13, who attends a York secondary school, and Eleanor, 11, who goes to a local primary school, were only missing four days' school.

They had missed school for a family holiday on one previous occasion, he said. The Conservatives have denounced the situation.

Vale of York MP Anne McIntosh said: "If I was a parent I would be extremely confused because Labour's new policy is to stop parents taking their children out of school during term time. They are all being very hypocritical."

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