Teaching unions condemn education minister over obscene gesture

Joint letter says Andrea Jenkyns' excuses for raising her middle finger to crowds outside No 10 would not be acceptable from teaching staff or pupils

Education unions have written to the newly appointed education minister, Andrea Jenkyns, warning that her use of an obscene gesture and her excuses since would be unacceptable from a pupil or member of staff.

Jenkyns, Conservative MP for Morley and Outwood, was widely criticised after she was pictured raising her middle finger at a crowd gathered at the entrance to Downing Street on the day of Boris Johnson's announcement that he was to step down as prime minister.