A teacher at a school embroiled in the Trojan Horse scandal has been suspended after making “racist” comments about Muslims – on Facebook.
Sports instructor Jonathan Parker was sent home from his job at Washwood Heath Academy in Birmingham after being accused of making the derogatory remarks earlier this year.
Angry parents and pupils came forward after spotting comments on his Facebook page where he appeared to claim Muslims caused paedophillia and made jokes about them eating pork.
And in another foul-mouthed post in May this year the teacher said: “Writing a book about students – called “50 Shades of C**t”.
Washwood Heath Academy headteacher Bev Mabey confirmed they had suspended a staff member in June and were still investigating the matter.
She said: “Washwood Heath Academy Trust can confirm a member of staff has been suspended.
“An investigation is ongoing and it would inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
One of the offensive messages at the centre of the the probe – which have since been removed from his Facebook page – read: “Sainsburys have run out of pork chops. I blame the Muslims. Vote UKIP.”
While another in reply to a friend writing “Muslims cause cancer” he said: “no,no, no…Muslims cause paedophilia.”
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The school is one of 21 at the heart of the Trojan Horse enquiry over claims Muslim hardliners had infiltrated some schools in the city.
They are still examining the messages and Mr Parker remains suspended one month into the new academic year.
One Muslim parent, whose 15-year-old son attends the school, said the comments were “highly inflammatory” at a time when community tensions were high in the wake of the scandal.
The dad-of-two, who did not wish to be named, said: “Teachers should not be saying this kind of stuff even as a joke. It is racist.
“The language used at a time when tensions are high in the city is completely unprofessional.
“Teachers have a duty outside of work to uphold the professions standards and all this has done is fuel the fire within the community.
“They are highly inflammatory comments when you consider most of the pupils are Muslim at the school.”
Mr Parker was a Key Stage Three leader at the privately-run academy having worked there for about five years.
One 15-year-old pupil added: “He’s always been a popular teacher so we were very shocked when we saw these comments.
“A lot of the pupils are furious about what has happened and were upset and offended that a teacher we trust could say these things.”
The teacher is said to claim the private posts from May this year were not genuinely held beliefs and were mockingly racist in tone and aimed at UKIP.
Another of the messages said: “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.”
While another read: “Halal meat used in curry houses up and down the country! Hands off our national dish! Vote UKIP.”
And another added: “Bloody kids. Coming out of our women and taking our jobs. They should go back to where they came from. Vote UKIP.”
Mr Parker could not be contacted for a comment yesterday over the claims his comments were racist.
But a friend said: “The messages were to friends only and were satirical, made at the time of the European elections last May, 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.”
Washwood Heath teaches 1,400 boys and girls from the age of 11 to 18, most of whom are Muslim.
This summer, 57 per cent of students achieved 5 A* – C grades at GCSE including English and Maths.
