Clegg savaged over free schools U-turn: Deputy Prime Minister accused of pandering to Labour Clegg's attack on the government's flagship education policy comes just 72 hours after it was backed by a Lib Dem education minister on Thursday His comments have enraged both his own party and the Tories who accuse him of pandering to Labour in the hope of keeping his job in a Lib-Lab coalition after 2015 One source warned his name had "become a byword for cheap sanctimony, opportunism, gimmicks and lying" Under attack: Clegg's 72-hour U-turn has drawn criticism from both his Conservative colleagues and his own party Nick Clegg came under attack from the Tories and even his own party yesterday after performing a 72-hour U-turn on the Government's flagship education policy. The Deputy Prime Minister launched a withering attack on Michael Gove's free schools programme - even though it was publicly backed by a Liberal Democrat education minister just last Thursday. Yesterday Mr Clegg was accused by one Government source of trying to cling on to "chauffeurs and people greasing up to him" by pandering to Labour in the hope of keeping his job in a Lib-Lab coalition after 2015. In the strongest condemnation of Mr Clegg since the Coalition was formed, the source said his name had "become a byword for cheap sanctimony, opportunism, gimmicks and lying." And Jeremy Browne, the former Lib Dem Home Office minister, also weighed in yesterday, insisting the free schools programme now being criticised by Mr Clegg was "liberal with a small "l" " and should be supported. Mr Clegg broke ranks with the Conservatives by declaring he will no longer support the fundamental principles of free schools, which have been set up by businesses, charities, religious organisations and groups of parents free from council control. He said he disagreed with several of the most important freedoms exercised by free school heads, including their power to set their own curriculum and hire teachers without union-recognised qualifications. His remarks came after Lib Dem education minister David Laws praised the scheme, which has been largely opposed by Labour, in the Commons last Thursday. Mr Laws suggested the freedom to hire who they wanted had allowed free schools to take on "superb" staff. But Mr Clegg suggested the Lib Dem manifesto for the 2015 election will include a "parental guarantee" that children in all schools are taught by qualified teachers and follow the national curriculum. Mr Clegg said the Tories are failing to apply the "minimum amount of basic standards" to free schools by allowing them to employ whoever they want. Out of step: Clegg's outburst comes just a couple of days after Lib Dem education minister David Laws praised the scheme in the Commons last Thursday He is expected to expand on the remarks in a speech on Thursday in which he will criticise the Tory "ideology" which he says means free schools and academies have too much freedom. The Deputy Prime Minister admitted his words on free schools contradict Government policies, but claimed the difference was not damaging. It's an open, grown-up difference. It's not a crisis," he said. One Government source said: "It's no surprise Nick Clegg - a man whose name is a byword for cheap sanctimony, opportunism, gimmicks and lying - wants to grab back power for MPs to meddle in schools." Tory planning minister Nick Boles, suggested Mr Clegg was a hypocrite because he did not want state schools to have the same freedoms enjoyed by his private alma mater, Westminster School. The Deputy Prime is accused of pandering to Labour as the slide towards general election brings the coalition under even greater pressure Education minister Liz Truss yesterday said it was a "shame" some Lib Dems did not back free schools and suggested Mr Clegg was pretending to be opposed to elements of the programme to appease left-wing activists. She said the "whole point" of the schools was "that they have these freedoms... that's what's helping them outperform maintained schools." Richard Cairns, head of the independent Brighton College, said: "I strongly believe teachers are born not made and I will actively seek out teachers from all walks of life who have the potential to inspire children." A Department for Education spokesman said: "Free schools are raising standards and giving parents more choice."