THE Conservative county councillor dismissed as Kent's schools chief has launched an outspoken attack on the leader of the county council Paul Carter, accusing him of adopting a "Captain Marvel-style of management".

Cllr John Simmonds was sacked as KCC's cabinet member for education last week.

Cllr Carter said he wanted to freshen up the Conservative cabinet that runs County Hall and has refused to respond to the claims, saying he did not want to start "mud-slinging".

But Cllr Simmonds, who was in charge of a £750million education budget, has revealed that he had a series of major disagreements over how education policy was being implemented, saying the department he oversaw was not being left to get on with its job.

And he has also attacked his party's decision to launch an internet-based television service saying the £1.4million Kent TV project had "more to do with delusions of grandeur than reality".

In comments that expose a series and potentially damaging rift within KCC's ruling Tory group, Cllr Simmonds said he had fallen foul of a clash of cultures.

He said: "There were some issues that I found myself at variance with the leader over and he felt my focus was not politically in line with his. It was a clash of cultures.

"We have a Captain Marvel-style of management and what the cabinet lacks is a critical friend. In Graham Badman [KCC's head of children and families], we have a superb officer and if you think you know more, then you are riding for a fall."

He questioned the decision to invest in the Kent TV project when other areas of frontline services faced cutbacks because of a likely budget squeeze.

"We are now looking at the next budget round and if Kent TV works, then fine. But if it does not…it may be rather more about delusions of grandeur than reality."

Cllr Carter, who had appointed Mr Simmonds to the cabinet after he masterminded his successful leadership bid, said: "I do not want to comment. If there is a government cabinet reshuffle, the Prime Minister does not have to give 101 reasons [for changes] so why should I? I do not want to start mud slinging."

On Kent TV, he said Cllr Simmonds had not previously expressed any reservations at cabinet. "I think it has the potential to be a great success."

Cllr Simmonds has been replaced by Mark Dance, who represents Whitstable.