Community support for teacher fired for showing Mohammad cartoon.

[Br.IanVonTurpie]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9777581/Nearly-50K-raised-teacher-suspended-showing-cartoon-Prophet-Muhammad-lesson.html

Almost £50,000 has been raised for a teacher forced into in hiding after he received death threats for showing caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad in class

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Batley Grammar School in March after an RE teacher showed pupils the 'offensive' image during a lesson on 'controversial issues'.

It is understood the cartoon was one previously published by French magazine Charlie Hebdo

Following two days of protests the teacher was suspended and forced to flee his home with his partner and four children, under police protection, for the family's safety

Bosses at the school in West Yorkshire apologised and the teacher was reinstated after an internal investigation

But it is understood he has not returned to work at the 980-pupil school and has fled the local area in fear of his life.

Last month, MailOnline reported that two other members of staff who were also suspended by officials at Batley Grammar School, West Yorkshire have refused to return to the classroom after being reinstated, citing similar concerns that they could be attacked

Now around 2,000 supporters have made donations to the Go Fund Me online fund, with contributions ranging from just a few pounds to a staggering £5,000

The fund was set up on March 30 by Batley and Spen politician Paul Halloran, who stood for election in the constituency in 2019.

Posting on social media, Mr Halloran said: 'Nearly £50,000 raised so far.

'Thank you to everyone who has donated and equally as important, thank you to all of you that have publicly supported this fine young man and his family.'

In a post on the Go Fund Me page, Mr Halloran added: 'Many of you will have seen the events over the past few months concerning the teacher in Batley.

'This is not a platform to discuss the whys and wherefores. This page is set up to appeal to the wider public to offer your support.

'Contrary to some public statements, the teacher is not back at work and is still in hiding. Support will be needed in numerous areas.

'None of us can ascertain what costs may have to be met by the teacher, be they relocation, employment, legal or a multitude of other issues.'

Batley Multi Academy Trust, which runs the school, commissioned a report which found the issues could be resolved with 'additional management guidance and training

They added that the suspension has now been lifted and the teacher will return to work.

The trust apologised for any 'distress caused' by the controversial image and accepted the findings of the investigation