LABOUR stepped up pressure on the government yesterday over the feud between Michael Gove and Theresa May by accusing the Home Secretary of breaching the ministerial code.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper laid into Ms May after her closest aide quit and the Education Secretary was forced to make a humiliating apology as a “deeply frustrated” David Cameron waded into the row at the heart of government over responses to alleged Islamist extremism in schools.

Ms May faced further questions about her personal involvement after a letter from her to Mr Gove was released which raised concerns about the Department for Education’s response to the allegations of a “Trojan horse” plot — now believed to be a hoax — by Muslim hardliners to take over the running of Birmingham schools.

Her letter to the Education Secretary was released in retaliation for comments attributed in the Times to an unnamed source — but apparently Mr Gove himself — criticising counter-terrorism chief Charles Farr’s approach to preventing the spread of extremism.

The Home Secretary’s special adviser Fiona Cunningham resigned following the investigation ordered by the Prime Minister into the bitter round of briefings and counter-briefings which overshadowed the Queen’s Speech.

Mr Gove wrote apologising to the Prime Minister and senior Home Office official Charles Farr “in acknowledgement of his role” in the row.

Ms Cooper said Ms May should explain her actions, including whether she breached the ministerial code which sets out the standards of conduct expected of members of the government.

She told BBC1’s Andrew Marr Show: “We’ve seen the Education Secretary apologise, the special adviser to the Home Secretary resign, but we’ve so far heard nothing from the Home Secretary even though it looks pretty clear that she has breached the ministerial code by writing and then authorising the publication of this letter.

“Well the Prime Minister’s responsible for enforcing the ministerial code. He needs to act and to make sure that that happens, at the same time as making sure they also address these more important issues about what’s happening in schools and communities.”

Ofsted will release reports into 21 schools in Birmingham at the centre of allegations today, with Mr Gove expected to make a Commons statement giving his response.