This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-27031941

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Trojan Horse probe headed by ex-Met chief Peter Clarke Trojan Horse probe headed by ex-Met chief Peter Clarke
(39 minutes later)
A former counter-terrorism unit head has been picked to oversee an inquiry into 25 schools in Birmingham over allegations of a hard-line Islamist takeover plot. A former counter-terrorism unit head has been picked to oversee an inquiry into 25 Birmingham schools over claims of a hard-line Islamist takeover plot.
Peter Clarke, the ex-head of the Metropolitan Police unit, has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to review the evidence.Peter Clarke, the ex-head of the Metropolitan Police unit, has been appointed by the Department for Education (DfE) to review the evidence.
Birmingham City Council said it had more than 200 reports over its inquiry.Birmingham City Council said it had more than 200 reports over its inquiry.
West Midlands Police Chief Constable Chris Sims said it was "a desperately unfortunate appointment".
He added: "Peter Clarke has many qualities but people will inevitably draw unwarranted conclusions from his former role as National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism."
Anonymous claims were made in a letter sent to local authorities last year.Anonymous claims were made in a letter sent to local authorities last year.
The so-called "Operation Trojan Horse" letter was apparently written by someone in Birmingham to a contact in Bradford.The so-called "Operation Trojan Horse" letter was apparently written by someone in Birmingham to a contact in Bradford.
The schools now being looked at include primaries, secondaries and academies. Explaining the appointment of Mr Clarke as education commissioner, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "I have already asked Ofsted to inspect a number of schools of concern and these investigations are ongoing.
The DfE said Mr Clarke would work closely with the city council, which has appointed former head teacher Ian Kershaw as its chief advisor on Trojan Horse. "But wider, more comprehensive action is needed.
"These allegations need either to be substantiated and firm action taken, or to be shown to be baseless.
"We cannot allow uncertainty for parents or pupils to persist."
The schools being looked at include primaries, secondaries and academies.
The DfE said Mr Clarke would work closely with the city council, which has appointed former head teacher Ian Kershaw as its chief advisor.
In his statement, Mr Sims added: "I am a strong supporter of open and inclusive education for all children in Birmingham and across the West Midlands and am committed to the process adopted by Birmingham City Council with educational and social inclusion at its heart."