PARENTS fighting to save a closure-threatened community school are outraged after an education chief branded them a 'rag, tag and bobtail' opposition.

In an extraordinary letter to Torfaen AM Lynne Neagle, Torfaen cabinet member for education John Turner accused campaigners of not "giving a damn" about educational issues in the closure of Trevethin School.

On Monday, a report recommended closing the school and moving pupils to two other Pontypool comprehensives. Councillors will vote on it later this month.

A war of words began when Councillor Turner responded to criticisms made by Ms Neagle and Paul Murphy MP of the council's handling of the closure plans.

In a personal letter to fellow Labour Party member Ms Neagle, obtained by the Argus, Councillor Turner wrote: "I wish, for a change, you would have the courage to give the council some public support for what are difficult but necessary changes to our school system instead of constantly being seen to side with the likes of Mike Davies, Bea Davies and the other 'rag, tag and bobtail' opposition who are just playing politics and frankly do not give a damn about (or do not understand) the substantive educational issues involved."

Councillor Mike Daviesand Bea Davies are both members of the group fighting to save Trevethin school.

Ms Neagle responded to councillor Turner's remarks calling them 'very uncomradely'.

She defended her criticisms, and wrote: "I have a responsibility to represent everyone in Torfaen and to fail to do that would I believe do a great disservice to the Labour Party in Torfaen."

Councillor Turner also said he believed "deprivation is a state of mind", despite the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation ranking Trevethin the 27th most deprived out of the 800 Welsh council wards

Councillor Turner wrote: "No amount of expenditure on deprived areas will make a bit of difference without ensuring a change of mindset amongst those who are deprived."

Ms Neagle replied: "I was very surprised to have that view expressed by a Labour Cabinet member. I am quite clear about the deprivation that exists in Trevethin. Deprivation is real and it is the reason that I joined the Labour Party."

Arthur Attwood, chairman of the Community Action Team fighting to keep Trevethin school open, said: "We formed an action group because we care about the future of the school. He has painted us as a load of imbeciles. I find it very offensive."

Fellow CAT member Barrie Pearce said: "For an executive member of the council to be saying things like that about people is unbelievable."

Councillor Mike Davies said: "This is a very unprofessional letter from one of the most senior politicians on this council."

Last night councillor Turner said: "The letter I wrote to Lynne Neagle was a private letter and as far as I am concerned it remains that way. I regard the opinions in the letter as private and I don't wish to comment on them in public."

Ms Neagle said she did not wish to comment further on the letters.