BLASPHEMY ROW
School where teacher ‘showed pupils Prophet Mohammed cartoons’ is forced to SHUT as angry parents protest for second day
A SCHOOL where a religious studies teacher showed pupils cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed was forced to close today amid furious protests at the gates.
Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire has found itself at the heart of a national debate after the teacher, 29, showed pupils the satirical drawing from French magazine Charlie Hebdo.
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It's understood the teacher - a keen amateur rugby player described as a "good, burly Yorkshire lad" by neighbours - was rushed into hiding by cops last night.
He is reportedly under protection, along with his wife and their four young children.
Mohammed Hussain, chief executive of local charity Purpose of Life, called for the teacher's "immediate" resignation - claiming he had "insulted two billion Muslims".
"We cannot stand for that. We have to make our voices heard on it," he said.
The school was closed at the last minute today, as scores of men protested outside.
A protester speaking "on behalf of the Muslim community" read out a statement outside of the school this morning - and called for the teacher to face criminal prosecution.
"Use of these materials was done in a deliberate, threatening and provocative manner, leaving children concerned for their safety and wellbeing," he said.
"This incident must also be investigated from a criminal perspective given it was clear attempt to stir up religious hatred."
And he said protesters are calling on the "entire British Muslim community to review materials taught in their children's schools", especially if they relate to "offensive content, inappropriate relationships and sexual education".
Another protester added: "We're not inciting any hatred, we don't want people to get injured or harmed, but, at the same time, you should learn from what's happened and know these kinds of things will bring about people getting very emotional."
But political leaders have backed the teacher, with one minister calling the row "disturbing" today.
The row that's caused a national storm
- A religious studies teacher showed pupils a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed from French magazine Charlie Hedbo earlier this week, it's claimed
- The decision sparked fury - and locals gathered outside the school gates to protest yesterday and today, forcing the school to shut
- The headteacher of the school has apologised and suspended the teacher, 29
- But as political figures including Gavin Williamson wade in, cops feared the teacher was in danger
- He, his wife and their four children have reportedly been rushed into hiding by police
Police liaison officers and private security guards are manning the school gates this morning, but school chiefs have made the decision to close for a second day as protests continue.
The officers have been trained to deal with protests and community relations.
Dozens of people from the community are believed to have returned today, despite the teacher's suspension and a public apology from the school's head.
It is not known if all the group of men outside this morning were parents, with some likely to be from local mosques.
This morning, just a few people stood alongside the walls of the school - but numbers have swollen since then.
Housing Minister Robert Jenrick said he was 'disturbed' to hear that the teacher has been forced into hiding.
"It's very disturbing," he said.
"That's not a road we want to go down in this country, so I'd strongly urge people who are concerned about this issue not to do that."
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has called the "threats and intimidation" aimed at the teacher "completely unacceptable" - and said schools must be allowed to expose pupils to "challenging or controversial" issues.
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"It is never acceptable to threaten or intimidate teachers," he said.
"We encourage dialogue between parents and schools when issues emerge.
"However, the nature of protest we have seen, including issuing threats and in violation of coronavirus restrictions are completely unacceptable and must be brought to an end."
But campaigners have accused the Department for Education of amplifying divisions.
Mohammed Shafiq, chief executive of the Manchester-based Ramadhan Foundation, said the community rejected any violence or threat of violence, and said the incident "will not be hijacked by those who have an interest in perpetuating an image of Muslims".
"It's alarming that the Department for Education chose to amplify those divisions by attacking the parents and pupils, rather than looking how we can come together to have a respectful discussion," he said.
"There is still time for calmer heads among the department."
Sajid Javid, the former Chancellor, is among the political figures to spoke out against the protests.
He said: "In this country we are free to peacefully follow, preach or query any religion or none.
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"These are hard-won freedoms that must be upheld by all public institutions.
"Reports of intimidation in Batley set a deeply unsettling and potentially dangerous precedent."
Teacher Samuel Paty was beheaded last October by an Islamist terrorist in France after showing his pupils a cartoon of the prophet.
In a letter to parents, Batley headmaster Gary Kibble, offered a “sincere and full apology" adding the picture shown was “completely inappropriate”.
School bosses held a meeting with a local Imam before suspending the teacher.
A senior police source said the teacher was receiving police protection in the wake of his suspension, reports.
The source said there had been a “series of meetings” inside West Yorkshire Police over the policing of the demonstration and how to handle the fall out including keeping the teacher safe.
“Officers have been especially assigned to him,” said the source.
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“This is obviously very sensitive.
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"Local Muslims are up in arms and the teacher has not apologised.
"There is obviously significant risk around the individual now."
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick says 'it's disturbing' to see people protesting outside a school, after a teacher showed class caricature of the Prophet Mohammed
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