Ed Balls, the children’s secretary, who attacked faith schools earlier this month for breaking admissions rules, said he refused to condemn parents who “fake” religious beliefs to secure places for their offspring.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, he indicated that he understood the desperation of some parents to get their children into such schools – saying he would not judge those who attended church services primarily to get their offspring on the roll.

“The idea that you can start making external judgments on people’s faith is a very hard thing to do,” he said. “I think you have to leave that up to individuals and their local priest or vicar.”

Balls had attacked some faith schools for demanding donations from parents.

In the interview he signalled an end to the row by paying glowing tribute to the faith school system. “I fully support the role faith schools play and indeed want them to play a wider role,” he said.

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