Ruth Kelly fiasco

I haven't commented on this story yet because each time I go to write, something else comes to light concerning the employment in schools of people on the sex offenders list.

The more that I read about this series of events the more I find it hard to believe. Who on Earth thought it a good idea to allow sex offenders to work with children?

This was clearly the question running through Ruth Kelly's mind when pushed for answers by the media, the unfortunate truth was that the answer was that she thought it a good idea. In hindsight it looked less so.

I understand that even people on the sex offenders list have to work and earn, but surely there a other jobs that they cold apply for. If Ruth Kelly felt that her and other ministers' decisions were justified why does she not fight her corner and stick by her own decision. If she thinks that it was a bad idea why did she not make that judgment at the time. The legislative changes and the procedural review have come about because this story has entered the public domain, if it had not would how many sex offenders would be used to fill the teacher recruitment gap?

Ms Kelly has been very clever not to actually lie over this episode, memories of David Blunkett still fresh in the mind, but her initial statement certainly implied that she was not involved and it is only now we find out the truth about this policy. The dishonesty underlying the whole thing is deeply worrying, what else do we not know?