The Tory MP who flicked her middle finger at people outside No.10 is now in charge of unis

Andrea Jenkyns flicked her middle finger at members of the public outside Downing Street and is now in charge of universities.

The Tory MP announced yesterday on Twitter that she will take up the post of minister for skills, further and higher education.

“We’ll be powering ahead with ambitious plans to boost skills and opportunities for everyone, regardless of where they are in life, delivering for individuals, employers and the economy,” she said.

‘Those who laugh last, laugh the loudest’

On the day of Boris’s resignation, Jenkyns was filmed flicking her middle finger at people gathered outside No.10.

The Conservative MP also shouted “those who laugh last, laugh the loudest, wait and see,” which was welcomed with boos from what she would later term a “baying mob”.

‘I am only human’

Following the incident, Jenkyns wrote a statement on Twitter: “On Thursday afternoon I went to Downing Street to watch the Prime Minister’s resignation speech. A baying mob outside the gates were insulting MPs on their way in as is sadly all too common. After receiving huge amounts of abuse from some of the people who were there over the years, and I have also had seven death threats in the last four years.

“Two of which have been in recent weeks and are currently being investigated by the police, I had reached the end of my tether.

“I responded and stood up for myself. Just why should anyone have to put up with this sort of treatment. I should have shown more composure but I am only human.”

Education bosses aren’t happy with her appointment

On Monday, Unison, the Association of School and College Leaders, the National Association of Head Teachers and the National Education Union penned a joint letter expressing their concerns at Jenkyns’s appointment.

The letter reads: “As representatives of the teachers, leaders and support staff who run our nation’s schools and colleges, we are deeply aware of just how important professional conduct, ethical standards and appropriate behaviour are for our children and young people.

“We note your comment that you were responding to a ‘baying mob’, plus your justification that ‘I should have shown more composure but am only human.’

“Frankly, explanations such as this from politicians are no longer good enough. As role models, politicians are increasingly falling short of the standards expected of them. Your words would certainly not be an acceptable excuse from a pupil or member of staff in a school or college.

“We believe you should publicly acknowledge the impact that your loss of composure is likely to have on the ability of education teams to maintain common decency in schools.”

Bye bye Michelle Donelan

Andrea Jenkyns replaces Michelle Donelan, the former universities minister who was promoted to secretary of state for education in the dying moments of Boris’s government. Donelan held the cabinet position for just less than 48 hours, making her the shortest serving secretary of state for education of all time.

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