British Education Secretary Ruth Kelly today revealed that 88 sex offenders have not been banned from working in schools.
Amid intense pressure over the row, Ms Kelly said ministers and British government officials had decided not to bar 56 sex offenders from working with children since 1997.
In the statement to the Commons, she disclosed that a further 32 sex offenders had not been added to the government blacklist barring them from working in schools.
It was understood that these further 32 cases were never referred to the Department for Education for inclusion on the banned list.
Ms Kelly promised to close the loopholes in the system and stop anyone cautioned or convicted of a child sex offence from being allowed to work in schools in future.
She told MPS: "I deeply regret the worry and concern that has been caused to parents over the last few days. "I'm determined to do all I can to ease their concerns."
Ms Kelly spoke after controversy erupted over her department's decision to clear Paul Reeve to work as a PE teacher in a Norfolk school even though he was on the sex offenders register.
She gave details of a review of the system conducted by her officials and the police over the past 10 days.
PA