THE education minister responsible for a new times tables check for primary school children refused to answer a multiplication sum on live TV today.

Nick Gibb was asked what eight times nine was but did not answer, saying: “I've learnt through bitter experience never to answer these kinds of questions on live television.”

Good Morning Britain presenter Kate Garraway told Mr Gibb he was a “very successful person, who clearly can add up and do maths.”

She then asked: “Why is it so important for an eight-year-old to do it when clearly you feel vulnerable about it, and there you are, a government minister?”

He responded: “No eight-year-old or nine-year-old will be doing it on live television.”

On the same programme in 2016, former education minister Nicky Morgan refused to answer what was seven times eight.

This was the same question Labour minister Stephen Byers answered incorrectly on BBC Radio Five Live back in 1998.