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Trojan Horse probe headed by ex-Met chief Peter Clarke Trojan Horse probe headed by ex-Met chief Peter Clarke
(35 minutes later)
The former national head of counter terrorism is to lead an inquiry into 25 Birmingham schools over allegations of a hard-line Islamist takeover plot.The former national head of counter terrorism is to lead an inquiry into 25 Birmingham schools over allegations of a hard-line Islamist takeover plot.
But the appointment of Peter Clarke, an ex-deputy assistant commissioner of the Met, was described as "desperately unfortunate" by the chief constable of West Midlands Police, Chris Sims.But the appointment of Peter Clarke, an ex-deputy assistant commissioner of the Met, was described as "desperately unfortunate" by the chief constable of West Midlands Police, Chris Sims.
The Department for Education (DfE) has appointed Mr Clarke to review evidence.The Department for Education (DfE) has appointed Mr Clarke to review 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.
Mr Sims added: "Peter Clarke has many qualities but people will inevitably draw unwarranted conclusions from his former role as National Co-ordinator for Counter Terrorism."Mr Sims 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. The so-called "Operation Trojan Horse" letter, which came to light in March, purported to outline a template on how schools could be pushed into adopting more Islamic cultures.
The so-called "Operation Trojan Horse" letter was apparently written by someone in Birmingham to a contact in Bradford. Apparently written by someone in Birmingham to a contact in Bradford last year, the undated and unsigned document proposed a co-ordinated effort of installing governors and replacing staff - including head teachers - who were unsympathetic to Muslim doctrines.
It claimed the tactics had been successfully deployed at several schools in Birmingham.
Mr Clarke, who has been appointed as education commissioner, is due to report back with his findings in the summer and his remit will cover local council-run primary and secondary schools as well as academies.Mr Clarke, who has been appointed as education commissioner, is due to report back with his findings in the summer and his remit will cover local council-run primary and secondary schools as well as academies.
Explaining the appointment, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "I have already asked Ofsted to inspect a number of schools of concern and these investigations are ongoing.Explaining the appointment, Education Secretary Michael Gove said: "I have already asked Ofsted to inspect a number of schools of concern and these investigations are ongoing.
"But wider, more comprehensive action is needed."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."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.""We cannot allow uncertainty for parents or pupils to persist."
The DfE said Mr Clarke would be responsible for analysing "evidence of extremist infiltration in both academies and council-run schools".The DfE said Mr Clarke would be responsible for analysing "evidence of extremist infiltration in both academies and council-run schools".
It added he has substantial experience in leading high-level investigations and his appointment meant the allegations could be examined in a "professional and dispassionate manner".It added he has substantial experience in leading high-level investigations and his appointment meant the allegations could be examined in a "professional and dispassionate manner".
The department said Mr Clarke would work closely with the city council, which has appointed former head teacher Ian Kershaw as its own chief advisor.The department said Mr Clarke would work closely with the city council, which has appointed former head teacher Ian Kershaw as its own chief advisor.
The council's investigation, running in parallel to the DfE's inquiry, is due to initially report back in May.The council's investigation, running in parallel to the DfE's inquiry, is due to initially report back in May.
Ofsted has been sent in to inspect 15 Birmingham schools in recent weeks, after the Trojan Horse allegations first broke.
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."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."
On Monday, council leader Sir Albert Bore confirmed the council had spoken to the local authorities in both Manchester and Bradford, during its three-month long investigation, where similar allegations have been raised.