Teacher suspended after showing a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to pupils during an RE lesson at West Yorkshire school refuses to return to work over fears for his life
- The teacher at the centre of the row has refused to return to teaching at Batley Grammar School amid fears for his life, MailOnline can exclusively reveal
- Report concluded he is to be allowed to return to his job despite the uproar
- But he remains in hiding with his family following furious protests in March
- Two other RE teachers have also refused to return citing similar reasons
A teacher who was suspended after showing a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to pupils during an RE lesson has refused to return to work over fears for his life – despite being cleared of causing deliberate offence and told that he could have his job back.
He continues to remain in hiding with his family and has permanently left the housing association property they shared near Batley.
The family have been rehoused at a secret location with not even close relatives being informed about where it is.
The Batley Grammar School teacher sparked fury by allegedly showing pupils cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in a RE lesson. Pictured: Protesters outside the school in March
Two other members of staff who were also suspended by officials at Batley Grammar School, West Yorkshire have refused to return to the classroom after being reinstated, citing similar concerns that they could be attacked.
It has resulted in the entire RE department, which was made up of the three teachers, being replaced by supply staff.
The teacher who kick-started the row and his two colleagues remain on full pay although it is not known how long this will continue for as their suspensions have been lifted.
They are being supported by the National Education Union (NEU), which is liaising with school officials in an attempt to resolve the stalemate.
A source close to the teacher, who was head of RE at Batley Grammar School, told MailOnline that he had not ruled out the possibility of legal action if he is unable to reach a settlement with the school so that he can move on with his career and personal life.
‘On paper, he’s got his job back but returning to the school is not a possibility,’ the source said. ‘An inquiry might have cleared him, but it doesn’t mean a thing because he doesn’t feel safe teaching there and genuinely fears that he could be killed. Continue reading UK: school teachers threatened by Mohammedans, refuse to return to work
