London, Feb. 6 (ANI): Erica Connor, head teacher of a London based school, has claimed 100,000 pounds in damage against education chiefs for not protecting her from Muslim school governors. Connor claims her bosses did nothing as a group of Muslim governors tried to force her to change the school curriculum. She claimed that she was "harassed" over a demand that pupils be taught more about Allah and Islam, the Daily Star reports.
The mum-of-one said her troubles began in 2003 when four Muslim governors were appointed, including convert Paul Martin and Mumtaz Saleem. They started interfering with the school's day-to-day activities. The 57-year-old alleged that they also asked her to link-up school activities with the local mosque, which convinced her to appeal to London's High Court. The investigating bosses branded her "unresponsive to the needs of the faith community." But, Surrey education bosses "turned their back" when her Muslim rivals branded her "racist and Islamophobic". "This was racism towards me. I felt that, had I been a Muslim head, things would have been conducted in a different way. I felt that they didn't have the courage to stand by me in this," Connor said.
She told Judge John Leighton Williams that she was "horrified" by the conclusion, which she believes made her "a helpless scapegoat". Erica, who says she is so depressed that she may never work again, reckons bosses should have done a lot more to protect her and New Monument School. Her lawyers are now fighting for damages. (ANI)
The mum-of-one said her troubles began in 2003 when four Muslim governors were appointed, including convert Paul Martin and Mumtaz Saleem. They started interfering with the school's day-to-day activities. The 57-year-old alleged that they also asked her to link-up school activities with the local mosque, which convinced her to appeal to London's High Court. The investigating bosses branded her "unresponsive to the needs of the faith community." But, Surrey education bosses "turned their back" when her Muslim rivals branded her "racist and Islamophobic". "This was racism towards me. I felt that, had I been a Muslim head, things would have been conducted in a different way. I felt that they didn't have the courage to stand by me in this," Connor said.
She told Judge John Leighton Williams that she was "horrified" by the conclusion, which she believes made her "a helpless scapegoat". Erica, who says she is so depressed that she may never work again, reckons bosses should have done a lot more to protect her and New Monument School. Her lawyers are now fighting for damages. (ANI)
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