However, Nick Robinson pointed out that many of the most important people in the Labour party have sent their children to selective schools.

He pointed out the children of Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party were sent to the selective schools the party is campaigning against - although they were against his will.

Mr Robinson asked: "You oppose grammar schools in principle, what do you make of people who choose to send their children to selective schools?"

The Shadow Education Secretary replied: "Well of course I am a mum myself and as a parent you just want the best for your children. You want your children to have opportunities that you didn't have and I understand that"

He fired back: "So you think it's right that the shadow Home Secretary send her children to private schools, the Shadow Attorney General sends her children to private schools, the shadow Foreign Secretary sends her children to a selective State school, Labour's Director of Communications sends his children to a selective state school?