Michael Gove was the architect of the Tories ' education policies , but after clashing with teaching unions , officials and other Cabinet ministers he was shifted to the lower profile role of Chief Whip . Michael Gove is still in control of schools policy , despite being ousted from his job Education Secretary last summer , the Lib Dems have claimed . David Laws said the senior Tory still has a grip on shaping government policy on education , eight months after being shifted to become Chief Whip . The claims are a fresh blow for new Education Secretary Nicky Morgan , who last month angrily denied claims Mr Gove was receiving confidential documents from her department despite being sacked six months ago . Mr Gove was the architect of the Tories ' education policies , but after clashing with teaching unions , officials and other Cabinet ministers he was shifted to the lower profile role of Chief Whip . But Mr Laws , the Lib Dem schools minister , has claimed that with Number 10 and the Treasury he is still dictating policy rather than Mrs Morgan . Mr Laws told the Independent : 'While Nicky Morgan 's instincts are moderate , the people who control education policy in the Conservative Party are still Michael Gove , David Cameron and George Osborne . 'The face and language may have changed but the Tory policies have n't . ' He added that there had been 'some pretty big rows ' over initiatives such as a 2 % pay rise for teachers and the Prime Minister 's 500 free schools plan , both announced last week . He told the paper : 'In all of these areas , the block seemed to be outside the Department ( for Education ) , not inside it . It is policy driven by an ideological approach rather than a calm appreciation of the facts and evidence . ' Mr Gove was 'massively influential ' in the Tory hierarchy , Mr Laws added , but said he did not know if the senior Tory was seeing Ms Morgan 's papers . Responding to similar claims last month , Ms Morgan insisted that she is in charge of the department . She said : ' I just think that this is a complete load of nonsense . 'Michael has been nothing but supportive , as have other former education secretaries from different political perspectives . ' David Laws said Mr Gove still has a grip on shaping government policy on education , not his new boss as Education Secretary Nicky Morgan . Asked whether she would be alarmed if Mr Gove was seeing her papers , Ms Morgan said : ' I have no reason to suspect that that is the case , no conversations I have had have given me any indication that 's the case . ' I am in charge of the Department for Education and we are all united in our reforms . 'The Chief Whip is of course going to see paperwork that goes through a number of departments . 'Having been in the whips ' office I know the Chief Whip has to be across all portfolio areas . 'But as I said I am very much in charge of the Department for Education . '
David Laws says Gove dictates education policy with No.10 and Treasury . Gove was ousted as Education Secretary in July to become Chief Whip . Comment: