However, some who remember Thérèse Coffey at Oxford University are surprised that “Tiz” has emerged as the official No 2 in government. It emerged that Coffey, who told the BBC on Wednesday she had been appointed to the health portfolio because of her “understanding of detail”, had to leave Oxford’s Somerville College after failing her chemistry exams. Coffey was a student there from October 1989 to March 1991, following in the footsteps of Margaret Thatcher, who graduated from Somerville after studying chemistry – a parallel noted approvingly on more than one occasion. However, unlike Thatcher, Coffey “was asked to withdraw on 9 March 1991 on academic grounds”, according to Somerville. An Oxford contemporary of Coffey’s said: ‘It is no secret among those who knew her then that she had to go, not for any misconduct, but because she was so involved in extra-curricular activities. “He was really into rowing, and of course there was Conservative politics, but people are a bit worried that this extremely pleasant man ended up being the one to succeed in government rather than some of the really brilliant ones from that era. “ At no stage did Coffey describe herself as an Oxford University graduate. Her profile on the government website has a single line about education: “Thérèse graduated from University College London (UCL) with a PhD in chemistry.” He also holds a degree in chemistry from UCL. But among profiles of the new health secretary this week, the Telegraph said she had graduated from Somerville, while a Times profile said: “While Truss may claim to be Thatcher’s heir, it is Coffey who studied the same degree at the same Oxford College: chemistry at Somerville. In the past, organizations ranging from the Organization of Conservative Women to the National Farmers Union have said Coffey was educated at Oxford. Others include the London School of Economics, which prefaced her participation at an event by saying she “studied at Somerville College, Oxford, before moving on to UCL”. Somerville College celebrated her appointment by posting a message on Facebook on Wednesday that said: “Somerville College congratulates Thérèse Coffey (1989, chemistry) on her appointment as health and social care secretary.” The post drew criticism from many people, including one who replied: “Did she finish her degree at Somerville? If not, why do you claim it as your own? As an NHS clinician I fear for the future of the NHS under any current Tory government and I am deeply concerned about her appointment.” Another said: “As a frontline NHS clinician and a graduate of Somerville, I have no faith in her ability to steer the NHS out of its current black hole of funding, staff retention or spiraling patient waits.” Coffey was approached for comment. A spokesman for Somerville College said: “It is the practice of Somerville College to mention the notable achievements of its alumni without implying endorsement of their views. It is common to designate graduates by their year of enrollment, as this is when a student enters university.”
