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One of the occupational hazards of being a politician is that one is frequently accused of holding opinions one has never expressed. It does not feel any better to be accused by an eminent academic such as Alan Ryan.

To make the factual statement that there is a social bias in the intake of sought-after universities is not the same as claiming "elite universities (are) guilty of bias".

Unless we can distinguish between outcomes and causes, we will never identify the true reason for the bias or find ways to tackle it.

The use of pejorative language to conceal a real debate does not help.

John Denham MP, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills.