A NATIONAL newspaper is claiming Grimsby's Carphone Warehouse co-founder David Ross has missed out on being named chairman of Ofsted.
The Independent claims it has learned the education magnate - who set up the David Ross Education Trust, which runs 25 schools, including Grimsby's Havelock Academy, Edward Heneage Primary Academy and Humberston Academy - is no longer in the running for the watchdog role.
The ruling, by an independent selection panel, will spare Nicky Morgan, the new Education Secretary, from making the controversial decision in her first weeks in the job.
As reported, Mr Ross is a well-known Conservative party donor.
Ms Morgan will now interview the three remaining names in the frame, who are understood not to have any links with political parties, but are yet to be named.
Some Tories believed Mr Ross was well qualified for the task of raising standards in England's schools due to his well-established links in the education field.
However, teaching unions were worried he could have faced a potential conflict of interest because Ofsted has responsibility for inspecting his schools.
The Liberal Democrats and Labour were worried about a Tory donor landing the Ofsted job.
It is believed that his failing to make the short list was not connected with Mr Gove's departure from the Department for Education.
The Independent reported "insiders" had said the decision was taken by an independent panel that includes Chris Wormald, the department's permanent secretary, and Paul Marshall, the lead non-executive member of the department's board, who is a prominent Liberal Democrat.
He chairs a leading hedge fund and Ark Schools, an academy group.
The Department for Education said: "As with all public appointments, the appointment process is being conducted in accordance with the requirements set by the Commissioner for Public Appointments and the guidance issued by the Cabinet Office Public Appointments Unit. An independent panel decides who is longlisted, shortlisted and interviewed. After this, they recommend to ministers a list of suitable candidates."
