Former teacher accuses East End school of defending racism in employment tribunal

08 February 2010

MUSLIM pupils as young as eight at an East End school hailed September 11 hijackers as "heroes" and said they wanted to be Islamic bombers when they grew up, a tribunal heard today.

Former Christian teacher Nicholas Kafouris told how he was faced with anti-Semitic and anti-Christian remarks from pupils at Bigland Green Primary School who openly praised the twin tower bombers as "martyrs".

And Mr Kafouris insists he was forced out of his 12-year job for complaining about the kids' behaviour and is suing the Shadwell school, head teacher and the assistant head for racial discrimination after they failed to take action over the comments.

Today marked the opening of the employment tribunal in which the Christian teacher said in a statement submitted to the Central London Employment Tribunal that Year 4 pupils had told him, "We hate the Christians" and, "We hate the Jews".

And he has accused headteacher Jill Hankey of "vicariously upholding racism and religious hatred".

Mr Kafouris, a Greek Cypriot, was signed off for stress by his GP in February 2007 and was dismissed in April 2009 because of his absence.

Tower Hamlets council said the school had followed correct procedures.

And the case against Tower Hamlets Borough Council, Miss Hankey, Margaret Coleman and Bigland Green School continues and is expected to last for 11 days.