Television presenter and former newspaper editor Piers Morgan has waded into the Hartsdown Academy uniform row.

The Good Morning Britain presenter has taken to Twitter to back new head teacher Matthew Tate's policy of sending home pupils who turn up to school in uniform that is not perfect.

He said: "I'm 100% behind this Kent headmaster Matthew Tate over school clothing.

"Standards and discipline matter. Stop whining, slovenly parents."

On Tuesday, around 50 pupils were sent home prompting a protest by parents and the police to intervene.

Yesterday, 20 pupils were not allowed into class. The school is yet to confirm whether any children were sent home today.

In a poll, 75% of parents backed Mr Tate's stance while 25% were opposed. More than 1,000 people took part.

Mr Tate took a hardline stance, having written to parents in July with a warning he would be clamping down on breaches.

Speaking to KentOnline yesterday, he said he wouldn't back down on the rules and would carry on sending pupils home if they were wearing the wrong clothes.

He said: "I'm standing up for the silent majority of children and parents who do it right, get it right every day and feel their education is being damaged by that small majority.

"I want to keep children safe and I want children to be happy here, but part of that is knowing that we have a set of rules and expectations and we keep to them."

Mr Tate added that a strict uniform policy enforces a positive attitude and encourages them to get on in class. He said it also reduces the risk of bullying and prepares teenagers for when they go on to work.

Some parents have vented their fury at how events have unfolded.

Michelle Bailey’s daughter Megan Watson, 13, missed school for a second day yesterday.

Ms Bailey of Appledore Close, Margate, said: “I had no call to say that she was being sent home on either day. “The children are supposed to be in education. I understand what Mr Tate is trying to do but he’s going about this the wrong way. He’s trying to give the school a good name but he’s causing trouble. “Parents are fined if children are not in school, so will the school be authorising these absences?"