Paul Blackburn, a Glaxo vp and financial controller, has left the board of Ofsted, the UK’s official education watchdog agency, amid growing controversy that his appointment reflected improper ties between the governing Labor Party and the drugmaker.

The news was disclosed on Seroxat Sufferers, a blog devoted to chastising Glaxo over its Paxil antidepressant, which is known as Seroxat in the UK. An Ofsted representative confirmed the change in an e-mail to the site. We have reached out to Ofsted and Glaxo for comment and will update you with any reply. UPDATE: A Glaxo spokeswoman further confirms Blackburn resigned amid “unfounded allegations,” and stresses he left at Ofsted’s request.

The resignation comes one month after Blackburn was named to the board, a move that itself occurred shortly after the government awarded an estimated $200 million contract to Glaxo for its Cervarix HPV vaccine for school-age girls 12 years and older, which some parents fear will give a green light to teenage sex.

Blackburn’s appointment also came as a growing number of UK families are filing lawsuits against Glaxo over its antidepressent, prompting criticism that the government conferred moral authority on Glaxo and commercially strengthened its position at a time when children are being targeted by pharma with meds for treating ADHD, in particular. Glaxo markets Dexedrine in the US for ADHD.

UPDATE: Here is a statement from Blackburn: “At Ofsted’s request, I have resigned. This is very disappointing for me personally and I hope it will not dissuade others currently working in companies to consider roles with public bodies. I wish to make it clear that this decision should in no way give credibility to the spurious allegations which have been reported regarding GlaxoSmithKline. These are entirely without foundation and have been previously addressed by the company. Rather, it is my desire that the work of Ofsted continue unhindered by negative media attention.”

Here is the back story and here is the e-mail…

—– Original Message —–
From: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk
To: fiddaman64
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 1:22 PM
Subject: Fw: Appointment of GSK Vice President to Ofsted
Dear Mr Fiddaman

Further to my email to you this morning, please be advised as follows:

Paul Blackburn resigned as a non executive member of the Ofsted Board on 5th July. His resignation follows public concerns about the activities of his employer GSK. Paul did not want any negative press interest to detract from the excellent work of Ofsted and therefore resigned. As far as Ofsted is concerned the matter is now concluded.

Should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,

Alan O’Neal
Customer Service Advisor
Ofsted - National Business Unit