What Happened to the Batley Blasphemy Row Teacher Fanatics Threatened to Kill for Showing Cartoon of Mohammed in Free Speech Lesson?
Five years on from the Batley row, a teacher who showed a cartoon in a lesson is still in hiding, his life wrecked. In the Mail, Vivek Chaudhary and Jenny Johnston reveal a man who has been abandoned by the authorities and is paying a crippling price for free speech. Here’s an excerpt:
On the official GoFundMe page where his supporters have raised more than £116,000, the young father is known simply as “The Teacher”. Perhaps a better title might be “The Forgotten Teacher”.
Last week marked the fifth anniversary of an extraordinary – and shameful – episode in modern British history that saw this man, then a respected member of staff at Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire, forced into hiding, fearing for his own life and for those of his children.
There, shockingly, he remains. Today he is living under a new identity, having fled not just the classroom, but his home, his town, his rugby club, his entire previous life. …
His crime? In 2021 he taught a Religious Studies lesson – one designed, ironically, to explore issues of blasphemy and free speech. One of the images he used to get pupils thinking and engaging was a caricature of the Prophet Mohammed wearing a turban containing a bomb. The cartoon had been published by the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, whose employees were massacred in 2015 for causing the “offence”. Showing images of Mohammed is forbidden in Islam.
Controversial? Well, the teacher’s bosses at Batley Grammar hadn’t considered it so. The lesson had been taught for the previous two years without any problems and had been approved by the school leadership team. Yet this time it caused a furore, with angry protests by parents at the school gates being stoked and encouraged by external activists.
As he was named locally and targeted by what can only be described as a mob, the teacher was suspended, and the school “unequivocally” apologised “for using a totally inappropriate resource”. It also promised to review the curriculum. Both the local council and the local Labour MP at the time, Tracy Brabin, welcomed the apology.
And yet in May 2021, the teacher himself was cleared of any wrongdoing, following an independent external investigation into whether he caused deliberate offence. He was, technically, free to return to his job.
A local community leader speaks to parents beside police officers
But by then the damage had been done. The man was simply too terrified to return to the classroom – and who can blame him? His primary fear was that he risked meeting the same fate as French teacher Samuel Paty, 47, who was beheaded the year before after showing a cartoon of the Prophet to his pupils. His murderer, a Russian Muslim refugee armed with a 12-inch knife, had pounced on Mr Paty as he walked from the school on the outskirts of Paris. The killer cried “Allahu Akbar” as he cut his victim’s head off, and was eventually shot dead by police.
It was a horrific end, which has long stalked the Batley Grammar School teacher.
What has become of the man who, his supporters argue, did nothing wrong? In the immediate aftermath, having felt the need to vacate his home at speed, the teacher was living in temporary accommodation, his children sleeping on mattresses, missing their own schooling because of the domestic upheaval.
A source close to the family told the MoS that he continues to live in a secret location outside the Yorkshire area. He and his family have been provided with new identities. They may have beds now, but they still feel utterly abandoned and let down. Our source painted a pitiful picture of his life today, as another anniversary passes. “He’s doing his best but it’s still not easy for him. He’s struggling to make ends meet and is relying on friends and family to get by.” …
His mental health has continued to decline, as his plight has slipped out of public consciousness. The man appears to be trapped in a Catch 22 situation: he cannot go public and highlight the unfairness of his situation without exposing his family to further threat.
He wants to forget the horror; and yet our understanding is that he would like at least some of his old life back. There are those still trying to help, at least in a practical way. In the immediate aftermath, businessman and politician Paul Halloran, a family friend, launched the GoFundMe page.
What I’d like to read is a firsthand account from this man for once, as opposed to always secondhand accounts from others of what occurred, as well as the after effects he’s had to endure. I’d like to read exactly what happened and the impact it’s had on him from his perspective, and also the lives of his wife and kids, up until this present day. I don’t know if he visits this site but there are other contributors that submit articles anonymously or under a pseudonym, so it’s not difficult to do. I just think it’d be valuable, informative and have more impact if it came from him personally. Possibly he’s already done this someplace that I’m unaware of.. The fact that there are convicted rapists who’ve been welcomed back into the arms of the Pakistani community when they come out of jail, their families standing by them like they’d just served time for tax evasion or something, neighbourhoods not running them and their families out of town and disowning them due to the shame ( and ‘dishonour’! ) they’ve brought upon the wider Muslim community, but yet see fit to do this to a teacher who never harmed… Read more »
The thing is Mogs, these Mirpur Pakistani muslims don’t regard raping young white girls as shameful or a dishonour, it’s seen as a good thing to do. This is why we really need to deport all of these people back to the cesspit they emerged from.
Islam allows an Islamist ‘soldier’ to take an enemy girl as a slave during war. My guess is that these particular Muslims have (conveniently) interpreted that part of the Koran as them being in a religious war (with us) and that these girls can then be considered as enemy slaves. We need to be rid of Islam, it’s completely incompatible with Western beliefs.
The issue now is that for the ragheads they have scored a victory and to back down now would be seen as defeat. This teacher was failed appallingly by the school / his employers, the town Council, the police, his shit show of an MP and by the government in Westminster.
This case will forever be a grotesque stain on this country and all members of the above organisations should hold their heads in shame for the utter cowards they are.
One question – why aren’t the local council paying this man’s wages? At least a few of the muzzies would cop for this and it could be used as a reminder of the vindictive failure of those nominally in charge. Surrender to mob rule eh?
Oh and sack the chief of West Yorkshire Police for doing F all to bring the raggies into the 21st century.
Good point. After the Trafalgar Square praying controversy the power of Islam in the UK is becoming more and more visible. Maybe Toby Young could do an interview with him and get publicity in the MSM or maybe this poor man just cannot keep going over his ordeal. It’s shameful and utterly despicable.
It’s the fact the man, and his family by extension, is having to live as a pariah, like he’s committed some heinous crime ( like paedophilia, murder or rape ) and has been banished by the community merely for showing a picture, when there’s men who’ve done actual heinous crimes being welcomed back to their family home and allowed to live in their communities and get on with their lives in peace. It’s these vile f***ers that should be ran out of town and forced onto hiding ( along with their complicit family ), having their lives turned upside down as a result of their revolting actions. I think it’s absolutely disgusting, shows huge failures and dysfunction on a societal level, and I’d not be living in fear if I were this teacher, I’d be raging. Livid at the injustice and treatment I’d received. I think he’s every right to get his story heard *in his own words* and he’d get more attention and sympathy now in this current climate because so many people are pig sick of all this Islam business, plus the exposure the rape gangs have had in recent years, now would be a good time to… Read more »
Another thought …. I’m no fan of Louis Theroux but if he had a mind to infiltrate some mosques and Muslim communities in the UK and do a documentary on their views on this and other stuff it would wake people up. Of course I imagine he would consider that to be divisive’ or too near the mark to expose things in this country. Safer to stick to bad and weird people elsewhere.
Paul Embery writes so well on this topic but what we need is action. Maybe a “ Not in Our Name” March by Muslims who hate fundamentalism might open the conversation up. But criticism would mean them being ostracised, seems they’re not brave enough ….. or maybe they don’t exist in large numbers?
MajorMajor
7 days ago
Behind the intolerant fanaticism of Islam there must be a deeply rooted sense of insecurity.
“What has become of the man who, his supporters argue, did nothing wrong?”
This is the trouble, the Mail even suggesting that this man has to have “supporters” who have to “argue” his case, rather than naturally being supported by a free society against the disgusting scourge of Islamic fascism. Anyone who cheered the persecution of this poor man outside the school gates should be air dropped over Tehran. Including the cowardly sycophant Tracy Brabin.
If most of the MSM had published the cartoon (at the time of this event) in support of freedom of speech and expression then radical Islam may see that their intimidation is futile.
If anything confirms the submission of the labour Party to Islam it’s this, and now we have the so-called Green Party joining the ever-steepening downward spiral to the 7th Century !!
Dave Summers
7 days ago
The nation’s indifference to the mob burning of Salman Rusdie’s Satanic Verses was probably the butterfly effect that brought us here.
Right, so the school should never have apologised, they or the state ahold have offered all the armed protection needed to ensure his safety and that of his children, the curriculum shouldn’t have been altered.
I am fed up of the state kowtowing to these people on my behalf.
They have openly declared themselves to be our enemy.
Pete Sutton
7 days ago
What is it that fuels the “Islamophobia” that haunts the imaginations of Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan? Is it shameful episodes like this – and the “Quran-scuffing” incident at another Yorkshire school, in which a mother was made to grovel before a Sharia Kangaroo court?
Or is it “right wing extremists”, for daring to question the sanctity of the Islamophile lunacy?
Two-Tier knows that he isn’t, and neither are all the other MPs who aren’t themselves Muslims. It’s why he asked Speaker Hoyle to change long-standing Parliamentary procedures to avoid Labour MPs being put in a “difficult” position re a Gaza ceasefire motion …. and Hoyle complied.
They’re terrified of having more “David Amess.” It would make the claim that “Islam is a religion of peace” and Muslims are British and just like us” very hard to sustain.
Hester
7 days ago
And what of the Islamist terrorist Parents and their supporters who destroyed this mans life? are their children still attending the school? are they still receiving all the good things of benefits Britain? I bet they are, protected and lifted above the law abiding free thinking people of this Country. Shame on this and the previous Government for allowing these Cuckoos into the nest.
GunnerBill
7 days ago
Muslims.
Just wonderful.
Sarony
6 days ago
The ultimate irony of this shocking episode is the school’s motto seen on the gate: “Bravely not Cowardly”.
RTSC
6 days ago
I’m sure our Glorious “Human Rights” Prime Minister will be prioritising this matter …. instructing the criminal justice system to “deal swiftly and appropriately” with the Muslim Extremists who threatened violence against a man just doing his job – and to uphold the right to free speech in the UK.
After all, he’s such a brave, honourable man ….. son of a toolmaker, don’cha know.
sharon
6 days ago
Why is everyone in this country so cowardly towards the bullying tactics of some Muslims? Every time they shout out that something is ‘offensive’ to them, everyone scuttles away!
And isn’t a community leader, the local MP? Who are these so called ‘community leaders’?
coviture2020
6 days ago
Community cowardice
Hound of Heaven
6 days ago
What a good job our Prime Minister is a human rights lawyer.
David
6 days ago
thanks to Richard Eldred for posting this reminder. Whenever I mention the situation to other people they just mutter a quiet, polite word or two and then change the subject. To send a man and his family into hiding, forcing them to live a lie for the rest of their lives is an act of terrorism and the perpetrators must be held to account. When oh when will the complacent, ‘tolerant’ British get organised and deal with this.
Twm Morgan
6 days ago
I have every sympathy for this poor man and his family.
Read ‘The Suicide of a Nation’, an excellent book that explains in shocking detail that unless action is taken soon the UK will be a Muslim nation within no more than two generations.
Sharia and the Caliphate are closer than you think!
jsampson45
6 days ago
The article is behind a paywall but oddly the comments on it aren’t. It would be good if newspaper articles could be paid for individually rather than having to subscribe to the rag itself.
Roy197
6 days ago
The sad thing is, the story of the French teacher who was beheaded has a horrific twist whereby the girl who initially made the claim and precipitated his tragic death actually MADE THE STORY UP to hide the fact she had played truant that day !! Of course, her story wasn’t doubted by those who then perpetrated the atrocity !!
To join in with the discussion please make a donation to The Daily Sceptic.
Profanity and abuse will be removed and may lead to a permanent ban.
Islam is the problem. The same problem wherever it exists in large numbers.
What I’d like to read is a firsthand account from this man for once, as opposed to always secondhand accounts from others of what occurred, as well as the after effects he’s had to endure. I’d like to read exactly what happened and the impact it’s had on him from his perspective, and also the lives of his wife and kids, up until this present day. I don’t know if he visits this site but there are other contributors that submit articles anonymously or under a pseudonym, so it’s not difficult to do. I just think it’d be valuable, informative and have more impact if it came from him personally. Possibly he’s already done this someplace that I’m unaware of.. The fact that there are convicted rapists who’ve been welcomed back into the arms of the Pakistani community when they come out of jail, their families standing by them like they’d just served time for tax evasion or something, neighbourhoods not running them and their families out of town and disowning them due to the shame ( and ‘dishonour’! ) they’ve brought upon the wider Muslim community, but yet see fit to do this to a teacher who never harmed… Read more »
The thing is Mogs, these Mirpur Pakistani muslims don’t regard raping young white girls as shameful or a dishonour, it’s seen as a good thing to do. This is why we really need to deport all of these people back to the cesspit they emerged from.
Islam allows an Islamist ‘soldier’ to take an enemy girl as a slave during war. My guess is that these particular Muslims have (conveniently) interpreted that part of the Koran as them being in a religious war (with us) and that these girls can then be considered as enemy slaves. We need to be rid of Islam, it’s completely incompatible with Western beliefs.
These particular muslims, together with all of their friends and families it seems.
They make my skin crawl.
Hear, hear.
The issue now is that for the ragheads they have scored a victory and to back down now would be seen as defeat. This teacher was failed appallingly by the school / his employers, the town Council, the police, his shit show of an MP and by the government in Westminster.
This case will forever be a grotesque stain on this country and all members of the above organisations should hold their heads in shame for the utter cowards they are.
One question – why aren’t the local council paying this man’s wages? At least a few of the muzzies would cop for this and it could be used as a reminder of the vindictive failure of those nominally in charge. Surrender to mob rule eh?
Oh and sack the chief of West Yorkshire Police for doing F all to bring the raggies into the 21st century.
Good point. After the Trafalgar Square praying controversy the power of Islam in the UK is becoming more and more visible. Maybe Toby Young could do an interview with him and get publicity in the MSM or maybe this poor man just cannot keep going over his ordeal. It’s shameful and utterly despicable.
It’s the fact the man, and his family by extension, is having to live as a pariah, like he’s committed some heinous crime ( like paedophilia, murder or rape ) and has been banished by the community merely for showing a picture, when there’s men who’ve done actual heinous crimes being welcomed back to their family home and allowed to live in their communities and get on with their lives in peace. It’s these vile f***ers that should be ran out of town and forced onto hiding ( along with their complicit family ), having their lives turned upside down as a result of their revolting actions. I think it’s absolutely disgusting, shows huge failures and dysfunction on a societal level, and I’d not be living in fear if I were this teacher, I’d be raging. Livid at the injustice and treatment I’d received. I think he’s every right to get his story heard *in his own words* and he’d get more attention and sympathy now in this current climate because so many people are pig sick of all this Islam business, plus the exposure the rape gangs have had in recent years, now would be a good time to… Read more »
Another thought …. I’m no fan of Louis Theroux but if he had a mind to infiltrate some mosques and Muslim communities in the UK and do a documentary on their views on this and other stuff it would wake people up. Of course I imagine he would consider that to be divisive’ or too near the mark to expose things in this country. Safer to stick to bad and weird people elsewhere.
Paul Embery writes so well on this topic but what we need is action. Maybe a “ Not in Our Name” March by Muslims who hate fundamentalism might open the conversation up. But criticism would mean them being ostracised, seems they’re not brave enough ….. or maybe they don’t exist in large numbers?
Behind the intolerant fanaticism of Islam there must be a deeply rooted sense of insecurity.
I hope they realise they base everything on the ravings of a lunatic.
“What has become of the man who, his supporters argue, did nothing wrong?”
This is the trouble, the Mail even suggesting that this man has to have “supporters” who have to “argue” his case, rather than naturally being supported by a free society against the disgusting scourge of Islamic fascism. Anyone who cheered the persecution of this poor man outside the school gates should be air dropped over Tehran. Including the cowardly sycophant Tracy Brabin.
Seconded 👍
If most of the MSM had published the cartoon (at the time of this event) in support of freedom of speech and expression then radical Islam may see that their intimidation is futile.
If anything confirms the submission of the labour Party to Islam it’s this, and now we have the so-called Green Party joining the ever-steepening downward spiral to the 7th Century !!
The nation’s indifference to the mob burning of Salman Rusdie’s Satanic Verses was probably the butterfly effect that brought us here.
In retrospect I suspect you are correct.
Absolutely. Burning books leads to burning people.
…..and servility to fanatics.
Right, so the school should never have apologised, they or the state ahold have offered all the armed protection needed to ensure his safety and that of his children, the curriculum shouldn’t have been altered.
I am fed up of the state kowtowing to these people on my behalf.
They have openly declared themselves to be our enemy.
What is it that fuels the “Islamophobia” that haunts the imaginations of Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan? Is it shameful episodes like this – and the “Quran-scuffing” incident at another Yorkshire school, in which a mother was made to grovel before a Sharia Kangaroo court?
Or is it “right wing extremists”, for daring to question the sanctity of the Islamophile lunacy?
Muslim Khan knows he’s immune from revenge.
Two-Tier knows that he isn’t, and neither are all the other MPs who aren’t themselves Muslims. It’s why he asked Speaker Hoyle to change long-standing Parliamentary procedures to avoid Labour MPs being put in a “difficult” position re a Gaza ceasefire motion …. and Hoyle complied.
They’re terrified of having more “David Amess.” It would make the claim that “Islam is a religion of peace” and Muslims are British and just like us” very hard to sustain.
And what of the Islamist terrorist Parents and their supporters who destroyed this mans life? are their children still attending the school? are they still receiving all the good things of benefits Britain? I bet they are, protected and lifted above the law abiding free thinking people of this Country. Shame on this and the previous Government for allowing these Cuckoos into the nest.
Muslims.
Just wonderful.
The ultimate irony of this shocking episode is the school’s motto seen on the gate: “Bravely not Cowardly”.
I’m sure our Glorious “Human Rights” Prime Minister will be prioritising this matter …. instructing the criminal justice system to “deal swiftly and appropriately” with the Muslim Extremists who threatened violence against a man just doing his job – and to uphold the right to free speech in the UK.
After all, he’s such a brave, honourable man ….. son of a toolmaker, don’cha know.
Why is everyone in this country so cowardly towards the bullying tactics of some Muslims? Every time they shout out that something is ‘offensive’ to them, everyone scuttles away!
And isn’t a community leader, the local MP? Who are these so called ‘community leaders’?
Community cowardice
What a good job our Prime Minister is a human rights lawyer.
thanks to Richard Eldred for posting this reminder. Whenever I mention the situation to other people they just mutter a quiet, polite word or two and then change the subject. To send a man and his family into hiding, forcing them to live a lie for the rest of their lives is an act of terrorism and the perpetrators must be held to account. When oh when will the complacent, ‘tolerant’ British get organised and deal with this.
I have every sympathy for this poor man and his family.
Read ‘The Suicide of a Nation’, an excellent book that explains in shocking detail that unless action is taken soon the UK will be a Muslim nation within no more than two generations.
Sharia and the Caliphate are closer than you think!
The article is behind a paywall but oddly the comments on it aren’t. It would be good if newspaper articles could be paid for individually rather than having to subscribe to the rag itself.
The sad thing is, the story of the French teacher who was beheaded has a horrific twist whereby the girl who initially made the claim and precipitated his tragic death actually MADE THE STORY UP to hide the fact she had played truant that day !! Of course, her story wasn’t doubted by those who then perpetrated the atrocity !!