Bumblerling Tory Education Secretary Michael Gove has flattely refused to reveal if he discussed the controversial axing of Sandwell’s £138 million school improvement programme in a series of private emails.

Lawyers at Sandwell Council under the Freedom of Information Act have asked to see the results of email searches, to see if the controversial decision to cut the borough’s Building Schools for the Future scheme last year was discussed in private exchanges.

The Department for Education has replied to say it will not reveal that information.

Sandwell Council leader Councillor Darren Cooper said he has lodged a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office, the FoI watchdog, about the department’s claim details of the decision-making process cannot be released.