Brentwood School’s Sir Antony Browne Society welcomed back local MP the Rt Hon Sir Eric Pickles to talk about current political problems.

Held in the School’s new Bean Academic Centre, Sir Eric spoke to Sixth Form students at both Brentwood School and Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School.

They discussed topics as Brexit, the Conservative and Labour leadership elections, the US Presidential Election, and international trade.

Sir Eric is currently serving as UK special envoy for post-holocaust issues.

He spoke passionately about prejudice and discrimination in society and how we should all learn to be tolerant and compassionate to each other, a school spokesman said. 

Among other observations, he offered a wry insight into why he thought George Osborne didn’t stay on as Chancellor in Theresa May’s government.

he also offered an exasperated prediction that Donald Trump could be in the White House next year before wishing the students well in their studies and spent time afterwards to be photographed with them. 

Ella Watson, deputy head of school, introduced Sir Eric to the audience. 

She said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Sir Eric back to the School.

"We always benefit from his considerable experience in the political arena for so many years and thank him for giving us a number of fascinating insights.”