Private school campaigners liken education secretary to Nazi over VAT plan

Bridget Phillipson has been targeted with personal abuse on Facebook by campaigners opposed to Labour's tax policy

Members of a campaign group opposing plans to apply VAT to private school fees have targeted the education secretary Bridget Phillipson with personal abuse, accusing her of aping the tactics of Nazi Germany and labelling her a vile hag".

A bitter row has emerged over the government's proposed policy, amid claims from opponents that it will increase class sizes in state schools as some parents will no longer afford fees when 20% VAT is added to them in January.