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Jodie Marsh 'not fit for classroom'
EEcho.ie http://www.eecho.ie/news/bstory.asp?...x4&n=177018258
23/03/2006 - 19:18:32

An MP has demanded a ministerial ban on pneumatic glamour model Jodie Marsh taking her anti-bullying campaign into the classroom, it emerged tonight.

Phil Willis, former Liberal Democrat education spokesman and an ex-headmaster, acted after learning that the former Celebrity Big Brother contestant intended to go on a national tour of schools to promote the work of children’s charity Beatbullying.

The 27-year-old Essex girl, who shot to fame courtesy of a series of barely-there outfits and a long-running, bitchy feud with rival Jordan, became an ambassador for Beatbullying after years of taunts at school.

However, the organisation has conceded that scathing remarks she made on her official weblog about her former Big Brother housemates were “in conflict” with her role.

Mr Willis tonight accused Ms Marsh of herself using the “language of an appalling bully” in her weblog and condemned her as a poor role model.

He recently tabled a parliamentary question, reading: “To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if she will take steps to deny Jodie Marsh access to schools for which her Department is responsible.”

Schools Minister Jacqui Smith replied: “Jodie Marsh does not represent the Department for Education and Skills in any way.

“Decisions about giving people access to pupils in schools are a matter for individual head teachers and governing bodies.”

Mr Wills said tonight: “We looked at her weblog and what she has written about her Big Brother housemates is just absolutely appalling.

“I thought my goodness is this really somebody we want to send into schools to talk to young people about bullying?

“It is the language of an appalling bully. It is pretty desperate a lot of it.”

Mr Willis conceded that his parliamentary question was “somewhat tongue-in-cheek” but rubbished Ms Marsh’s credibility as an anti-bullying campaigner.

“I just think we are descending really to the lowest common denominator when we are actually putting people on a pedestal like Jodie Marsh to send into our schools. I think we could find better role models.”