The new chief of Ofsted has come under fire from Kent MPs after she said government's plans for new grammar schools were a distraction from other issues.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, a vocal supporter of grammars, said chief inspector Amanda Spielman was wrong to criticise the idea of overturning a ban on new selective schools.

He said: "Grammar schools shouldn’t be dismissed like this by Ofsted. They play a vital and important role in providing diversity in education in the areas where they are located and I hope they can do so soon in many other areas. I hope that Ofsted will recognise their value in the future,"he said.

In an interview with The Guardian, chief inspector Amanda Spielman said: “I don’t see it [grammar school plans] as something that has much to do with making the most of every school, of Ofsted making the most of its work and contributing to system improvement.”

“It’s certainly a complication. I hear stuff anecdotally about how they are going to react, I don’t know what will happen in practice. I hear that some are poised and ready to go, and others who say they won’t actually will, and others will keep themselves distant.”

Her comments mirror similar criticism voiced by her predecessor Sir Michael Wilshaw, who also described the government's plans for more grammars as a distraction.

There has been a mixed reaction to the government bid to pave the way for new grammars.

Recently 30 head teachers from Kent wrote to the Prime Minister Theresa May condemning the idea saying that it would not improve social mobility for poorer brighter children.