Both are natural political allies: Mr Lerach is said to give generously to the campaign funds of state treasurers, for instance.

ECONOMIST: Face value

"He very generously offered to be the last money in, " Hayden said.

WSJ: At 48, Hopkins still chasing championship history

He said that claims that teachers had marked controlled assessments too generously were based on "paltry evidence" and called the moderation of the qualification "poor, stressed and chaotic".

BBC: English GCSE: Senior exam board figure quits AQA