Downing Street is ousting non-Conservative supporters from key public body posts, according to the outgoing chair of schools inspectorate Ofsted.
Baroness Sally Morgan told the BBC she was the victim of a "determined effort from Number 10" to appoint more Tories.
The Labour peer has not had her term of office - due to end this month - renewed, but will stay on until a successor takes over in the autumn.
A senior Number 10 source described her claim as "baseless".
Asked about her comments, Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said: "I don't agree. We have to make sure that we have the right people in place to deliver government policy."
'Right people'But speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Baroness Morgan said: "There is an absolutely determined effort from Number 10 that Conservative supporters will be appointed to public bodies."
There had been a "strong and co-operative relationship" between herself, ministers and officials, Baroness Morgan said, denying there had been any kind of "falling out".
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She said her removal was part of a pattern which had seen a series of non-Conservative supporters on bodies like the Arts Council and the Charity Commission replaced with loyal Tories.
She said the impetus behind the appointments appeared to come from No 10.
She told Radio 4's Today programme: "I really do think it's just I am the latest of a fairly long list of people now who are non-Conservative supporters who are not being re-appointed."
Baroness Morgan, a former close aide to Tony Blair, said there was "absolutely a pattern", adding: "I think it's extremely worrying."
She was appointed by the coalition in 2010 as head of the education inspectorate for England.
'Transparently made'Baroness Morgan said she believed the move was not specifically against Labour, but against those who did not support the Conservatives, and added: "I think there's a lot of concern about it.
"Often they are people who have been working really well with their organisations and, indeed, with their host departments, so I do think this is coming from Number 10.
"I don't think it is coming from individual departments."
Baroness Morgan told Radio 4 the issue needs to be looked at by the cabinet secretary, the most senior civil servant, and the cabinet office.
End Quote Lord FalconerIt is wholly wrong that the Conservatives now are purging anybody who's not a Conservative"
"One of the really important things about public appointments is that they are made on the basis of merit and they are seen to be transparently made," she said. "I think there's something going on in the centre that's mitigating against that."
In a statement, Ofsted said Baroness Morgan's term of office "has been extended until the autumn of 2014 by the secretary of state while the process is put in place to find a successor".
Education Secretary Michael Gove has not commented on allegations she was dismissed but praised her contribution.
Mr Gove said: "She has brought great knowledge and insight, leading the board strongly through a period of significant change, both managing the smooth transition when there were changes in chief inspector, and leading the reforms to the inspectorate and its work.
"I hope that she continues to play an active role in helping to shape the education landscape to improve standards for all children and young people."
'Retrograde'The education secretary has not commented on allegations in the Independent he was dismissing her. He earlier denied claims by Sir Michael Wilshaw, the chief inspector of schools in England, that the Department for Education had briefed against Ofsted.
The Independent also reported that the deputy prime minister has complained to the cabinet secretary about Conservatives making "party political" appointments.
Former Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer said the Conservatives had taken "a really retrograde step".
He told the BBC: "It is wholly wrong that the Conservatives now are purging anybody who's not a Conservative in public office.
"The consequence of that will be to greatly reduce the quality of people who take non-political public service jobs."
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