THE head of the English exams body Ofqual has announced she will step down after the A-level and GCSE results fiasco.

Sally Collier’s decision was announced in a statement released by Ofqual this afternoon.

Opposition MPs have already taken to Twitter to say that the wrong person has stepped down, and it should be Education Secretary Gavin Williamson who leaves.

Layla Moran, the LibDems education spokesperson, said: “Ofqual has become a convenient scapegoat for the government's own failures.

“If anyone should resign over this fiasco, it's the Education Secretary.”

Labour MP Bill Esterton added: “Sally Collier, head of Ofqual has done the decent thing, accepted responsibility for the exam fiasco and resigned.

“How can it be right that Collier has resigned but Education Secretary, Gavin Williamson, hasn't?”

READ MORE: Gavin Williamson U-turns on exams days after mocking John Swinney

Labour peer Andrew Adonis echoed Esterton’s question, asking: “How can the head of Ofqual resign but not Williamson?”

Williamson has held on to his post despite the furore that erupted after 40% of teacher's estimated grades were downgraded across England, affecting more than 700,000 exams.

As in Scotland, the algorithm used meant students in poorer, and historically worse-performing areas, were downgraded more heavily than their more privileged peers.

Commenting on the latest development however, Williamson did not mention the calls for his resignation.

He said: "Following Sally Collier's decision to step down as Ofqual's chief regulator, I'd like to thank her for the commitment she has shown to the role over the last four years and wish her well for the future.

"I welcome Ofqual's announcement that Dame Glenys Stacey is to assume a temporary leadership role as acting chief regulator and also the new internal governance arrangements put in place with Ofsted support.

“This will make sure Ofqual can fully focus on the important functions it must deliver as the independent regulator for qualifications, examinations and assessments in England.

"Moving forward, my department will continue to work closely with Ofqual's leadership to deliver fair results and exams for young people."

In a statement, Ofqual, which stands for Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, said its board supported Collier's decision to stand down.

READ MORE: SNP hit out at Tories' 'rank hypocrisy' in following Scotland on exam results

It said: "The chief regulator, Sally Collier, has decided that the next stage of the awarding process would be better overseen by new leadership.

“The Ofqual board supports Sally in this decision, and thanks her for her leadership and service over the past four years, which has included overseeing the successful introduction of an entirely new set of GCSEs and A-levels, and a new grading system.

"As a result, the Ofqual board has asked Dame Glenys Stacey to assume a temporary leadership role as acting chief regulator until December 2020, having previously served as chief regulator between 2011 and 2016. She will be supported by a new committee of the Ofqual board, which will include one or more of the current Ofsted board members.

“This new committee will be chaired by Amanda Spielman and will oversee the work of Ofqual to the end of the year. Roger Taylor remains Ofqual chair.

"If required, Ofsted will also provide additional staff to support Ofqual during the autumn, as they have been supporting other Government departments through the summer.

"Taken together these arrangements will ensure that Ofqual has the extra capacity, support and oversight it needs both to tackle the remaining issues from this year's awarding process and to ensure that next year's arrangements command public confidence."