LABOUR challenged Theresa May today to axe the “shocking” appointment of right-wing journalist and free schools advocate Toby Young to the new higher education watchdog.

Mr Young’s appointment to the board of the new Office for Students universities regulator has been controversial because of his casual bigotry, sexism, homophobia and fanaticism for the privatisation of education.

“Theresa May cannot allow this appointment to stand,” said shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler.