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Police chief condemns appointment of terror officer over 'Islamic schools plot' Police chief condemns appointment of terror officer over 'Islamic schools plot'
(about 5 hours later)
The chief constable of West Midlands police has condemned as "desperately unfortunate" the appointment of an anti-terror officer to investigate allegations of Islamic fundamentalists infiltrating schools in Birmingham. One of Britain's most senior police chiefs has attacked Michael Gove's decision to appoint a counter-terrorism expert to investigate claims of a Islamist plot to take over schools in Birmingham.
Peter Clarke, who served as the head of the Metropolitan police's counter-terrorism unit, has been made an education commissioner by Michael Gove, the education secretary, the Department for Education (DfE) said on Monday. Chris Sims, chief constable of West Midlands police, condemned as "desperately unfortunate" the appointment of Peter Clarke to look into allegations of Islamic fundamentalists infiltrating schools.
Clarke has been hired to review claims in an unsigned letter, circulated in Birmingham and beyond, that boast of an Islamist plot named Operation Trojan Horse infiltrating state schools in the city and running them on "strict Islamic principles". Peter Clarke, who served as head of the Metropolitan police's counter-terrorism unit and led the investigation into the 7/7 London bombings in 2005, has been asked to examine claims made in an unsigned and unverified document, circulated in Birmingham and beyond, boasting of an plot named Operation Trojan Horse.
West Midlands police were already investigating fraud claims linked to the Trojan Horse letter. The alleged plotters claimed to have "taken over" secular state schools in Birmingham, ousting non-compliant heads and governors and running the schools on "strict Islamic principles".
Responding to Clarke's appointment on Monday, Chris Sims, the West Midlands chief constable, suggested Clarke's background could stir up racial tensions in the community. Sims told the Guardian that the letter that sparked the controversy could be a hoax and was not being treated as a criminal matter. He said Clarke's appointment made it appear as though the saga was being officially handled as a counter-terrorism issue.
"This is a desperately unfortunate appointment," he said. "Peter Clarke has many qualities but people will inevitably draw unwarranted conclusions from his former role as national co-ordinator for counter-terrorism. Asked whether he thought the appointment may damage community relations, Sims said: "It must be a concern. People could be made fearful if they think that is the way this issue is being perceived."
"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." 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. 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."
The DfE said Clarke's role would be to conduct an investigation to fully understand the situation and to work with Birmingham city council to analyse evidence of extremist infiltration in academies and council-run schools. Clarke's appointment as education commissioner also revealed tensions between the Department for Education (DfE) and Birmingham city council, which on Monday announced its own independent adviser to look into the Trojan Horse claims, working alongside two separate panels made up of MPs, councillors, police and faith groups.
It added that Clarke had substantial experience in leading high-level investigations and his appointment meant the allegations could be examined in a "professional and dispassionate manner". Dismayed at Gove going over his head, the leader of the council, Sir Albert Bore, said Clarke's background could "undermine the confidence of our communities".
The move comes the day after it was disclosed that 25 schools were under investigation over the alleged hardline Muslim plot to force out governors and headteachers. "At first sight, today's announcement of an independent commissioner is a missed opportunity to strengthen our co-ordinated approach to addressing these very serious matters. Peter Clarke will need to give careful consideration to building a strong relationship with us and, given his recent counter-terrorism responsibilities in London, ensure that his investigation does not undermine the confidence of our communities," Bore said.
Birmingham council has already announced it is appointing a chief adviser to directly handle at least 200 complaints received in relation to the Operation Trojan Horse allegations focusing on schools in the city. The council's investigation, running in parallel to the DfE's separate inquiry, is due to initially report back in May. Twenty-five schools in Birmingham are now under investigation following more than 200 complaints received by the city council. Despite reasonable evidence suggesting the plot letter is a hoax, it has sparked debate in the city, with far right groups looking to capitalise while some prominent Muslims claim the allegations are baseless and rooted in Islamophobia.
Gove said: "I am extremely concerned by the allegations made in connection to a number of schools in Birmingham. West Midlands police are investigating fraud claims linked to a primary school named in the Trojan Horse letter but decided the letter itself was not a criminal matter. The force was therefore surprised when Gove, without seeking their advice, appointed Clarke to look into the matter.
"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. 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. A DfE source said only Clarke had the remit to examine claims at both local authority-run schools and academies. Of the 15 Birmingham schools that have recently undergone emergency Ofsted inspections at Gove's behest, "six or seven" were academies for which the council had no responsibility, said the source, adding that Clarke was "used to carrying out sensitive inquiries under the glare of publicity".
"That is why I am appointing a commissioner to oversee this work. Peter Clarke brings a wealth of relevant skills and experience, and is very well placed to lead a fair and thorough assessment of the evidence, and report back to me. We expect he will work closely with Birmingham city council. Gove said the 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."
"No pupils should be exposed to extremist views or radicalisation while at school. I have tasked Peter Clarke with getting to the bottom of these allegations, so schools in Birmingham can continue the excellent progress that so many have been making." He said: "Peter Clarke brings a wealth of relevant skills and experience, and is very well placed to lead a fair and thorough assessment of the evidence, and report back to me. We expect he will work closely with Birmingham city council. No pupils should be exposed to extremist views or radicalisation while at school. I have tasked Peter Clarke with getting to the bottom of these allegations, so schools in Birmingham can continue the excellent progress that so many have been making."
Responding later to criticism of the appointment, a DfE spokesman said: "We are confident that Peter Clarke's background makes him exactly the right appointment for this important job. He has long experience of leading sensitive investigations, and has earned a reputation for thoroughness, integrity and independence. He has worked for many years with diverse communities and in collaboration with a wide range of partners. Clarke is due to report back with his findings in the summer. Ofsted is not expected to publish inspection reports into the 15 Birmingham schools until after Easter.
"The secretary of state believes that Mr Clarke's track record, drive and professionalism will mean parents in Birmingham can be confident that the truth of what has happened will be uncovered." Since the Trojan Horse letter came to light, anonymous whistleblowers have claimed that boys and girls have been segregated in classrooms and assemblies, sex education has been banned, non-Muslim staff have been bullied and, in one case, that the teachings of a firebrand al-Qaida-linked Muslim preacher were praised to pupils.
Clarke is due to report back with his findings in the summer. His remit will cover both local council-run schools and academies.
Birmingham city council has appointed Ian Kershaw, managing director of Northern Education, to take up the chief adviser role, and is also setting up a review group of MPs, councillors, national teaching and governors' groups, the police and faith leaders to look into the claims.
Sir Albert Bore, the council leader, confirmed on Monday that the council had spoken to local authorities in Manchester and Bradford, where similar allegations have been raised, during its three-month investigation.
Gove has also instructed Ofsted to inspect 15 Birmingham schools since the allegations surfaced.
Concern at how some of the city's 430 schools were being run emerged when an anonymous letter known as Operation Trojan Horse was leaked, claiming a small but radical group of Muslims were pursuing their own agenda in the classrooms, with unco-operative headteachers and governors forced out.
The unsigned and undated document also claimed there had been "a great amount of organised disruption", crediting the plan with forcing a change of leadership at four schools.
Since the letter came to light, anonymous whistleblowers have claimed that boys and girls have been segregated in classrooms and assemblies, sex education has been banned, non-Muslim staff have been bullied and, in one case, that the teachings of a firebrand al-Qaida-linked Muslim preacher were praised to pupils.
Bore said the council was in dialogue with the DfE, and confirmed that Ofsted would not publish its inspection reports until after Easter.
West Midlands police was also still looking into the authorship of the document, the council's leader said.
The allegations in the Trojan Horse letter focus on the Park View Educational Trust, which runs three schools in the city, all of which have had snap Ofsted inspections in recent weeks.The allegations in the Trojan Horse letter focus on the Park View Educational Trust, which runs three schools in the city, all of which have had snap Ofsted inspections in recent weeks.
The school trustees have firmly denied all the claims, branding the allegations a witch-hunt, while pointing to very good academic results among its pupils. The school trustees have firmly denied all the claims, branding the allegations a witch-hunt and pointing to very good academic results among its pupils.