Former architecture minister Ed Vaizey has told parliament that it is Roger Scruton’s aesthetic tastes rather than his ethical views that are the problem with his chairmanship of the government’s beautiful homes commission.

The Tory MP who commissioned Terry Farrell’s review of architecture while in office at the Department for Culture, Media & Sport told an emergency debate in the House of Commons that the philosopher’s character and views were “impeccable”.

Scruton’s appointment by housing secretary James Brokenshire as chair of the new Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission has caused anger among many architects and those on the left.

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