Opposition MPs who are former teachers are looking deep into their pasts amid talk the Government is looking for retribution over the allegations leveled against David Benson-Pope.

In private, some confess to fearing that anything considered an 'incident' could come back to haunt them but National's education spokesman Bill English believes that fear is unfounded. He says anything allegedly questionable should be subject to an inquiry, as is the case with David Benson-Pope.

Mr English says an inquiry is a proper form of accountability and MPs should not be fearful of threats from the likes of Deputy Prime Minister Michael Cullen.

Education Minister and former teacher Trevor Mallard says there is nothing in his teaching past which he is concerned about.