Ms Beer had been due to take up her new position at the end of April.

It is unclear what led to North West schools chief Vicky Beer's sudden change of heart, but senior political sources suggested the government had been very keen for her to stay on as schools commissioner. Thanks everyone for your supportive comments! Please sign the petition if you haven't already done so. And please pass the words around as many as you can lets see how far this message travels. You may share this on your social media and twitter. Thank you for standing with us. Solidarity