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Delegates at a conference where Hodge was speaking this week were divided over whether she should resign. However, most felt it had damaged her credibility.

Terry Martin, from the educational social enterprise Norir, said: "She's probably got a lot of good qualities but it's a bad start for a new ministerial post."

Eileen Allen, a learning support assistant working with young offenders, felt Hodge had handled the whole situation wrongly. "I can't believe she actually wrote that. To say that about him she hasn't got the feel for children and I think she has lost credibility."


In contrast, the major charities and the Association of Directors of Social Services refused to say whether she should resign, although the British Association of Social Workers said the incident called into question her suitability for her position in the government.