An MP who led criticism of Bradford’s scandal ‘free school’ is investigating the equivalent schools in the United States.

Liberal Democrat David Ward has attacked the lack of scrutiny of Kings Science Academy in Lidget Green, where the principal has been arrested on fraud allegations.

Now the Bradford East MP has joined an inquiry by the Commons education select committee to examine the operation of ‘charter schools’ in the USA.

Like free schools in England, charter schools are free to attend and enjoy greater autonomy than traditional state schools.

However, unlike free schools, they receive less public funding per pupil than state schools – and can receive donations from private sources.

Mr Ward said: “So our job in the US is to try to learn some lessons from charter schools to see how we can add value to the system of free schools in this country.”