A physical education teacher who was working at one of the schools linked with the Trojan Horse scandal was suspended after allegations of posting racist jokes online.
Jonathan Parker of Washwood Heath Academy, one of the Trojan Horse-linked schools, posted comments such as 'Muslims cause paedophilia’, and ‘Sainsbury have run out of pork chops. I blame the Muslims. Vote UKIP' during the European elections in May on his Facebook page. Parker alleged that the comments, another of which read 'Bloody tax dodging immigrants. If they paid their own way we’d have more money for health, education, public services and pensions. Right I’m off for a STARBUCKS. Vote UKIP,' were meant to be satirical and undermine the anti-immigration party.
Washwood Heath Academy is a privately-run institution and consists of predominantly Muslim students out of some 1,400 attendees. One pupil said Parker has 'always been a nice teacher. It’s a big shock to us all. Some pupils are very angry.” A friend who came to Parker's defence stated that 'the messages were to friends only' and were 'directed against UKIP by sending up the anti- Islamic aspects of their campaign. The posts were gained illegally and doctored to appear out of context and offensive.”
Senior members of Washwood Heath Academy are still considering the messages and their gravity while Parker remains suspended for one month at the start of the academic year.
