By Jamie Hailstone Chief executive of Tower Hamlets LBC, Christine Gilbert, has been appointed as new chief inspector of schools. Ms Gilbert, who will take up her new role in October, joined Tower Hamlets as corporate director for education in 1997, and became acting chief executive in September 2000. She was appointed chief executive in 2002. Ms Gilbert succeeds Maurice Smith, who was interim chief inspector, after former Bedfordshire CC chief executive, David Bell, left the post to become permanent secretary at the Department for Education and Skills last December. ‘Naturally, I am delighted to have the chance to fulfil such an interesting and challenging national role,’ said the Tower Hamlets boss. ‘Especially as Ofsted moves towards a new single inspectorate covering education, children’s services and skills.’ But the Government has already faced allegations from the Liberal Democrats of cronyism over the appointment of Ms Gilbert, who is married to police minister Tony McNulty. Ms Gilbert faced calls to resign last year from Respect MP George Galloway, who claimed that the running of the 2005 general election in Tower Hamlets had been ‘a shambles’ that would ‘disgrace a banana republic’. Relations with some councillors are thought to have grown strained after the Respect Party won 12 seats at last month’s local elections. ‘Ms Gilbert has served the council with distinction,’ said council leader, Denise Jones. ‘She has played a major part in making it a model for the successful delivery of public services.’ j.hailstone@hgluk.com
