A government-commissioned report found evidence on Tuesday of a coordinated effort to Islamize state-run schools in the city of Birmingham by taking control of their governing bodies.
The investigation into allegations of a Muslim “plot” at state-run schools said people in positions of influence had tried to introduce “intolerant and aggressive” Islamic beliefs.
The report by former police counter-terrorism chief Peter Clarke said it had neither looked for, nor found, evidence of violent extremism, terrorism or radicalization in the schools in England’s second city.
However, the damning conclusions reported “clear evidence” that some of those working in schools and governing bodies “espouse, endorse or fail to challenge extremist views.”
The report noted in particular a discussion on instant messenger service WhatsApp between teachers and the acting principal at one school, which revealed explicit homophobia and anti-Western, anti-US and anti-Israeli sentiment.
Participants in the discussion last year suggested that the Boston bombings and the murder by two Islamists of British soldier Lee Rigby on the streets of London were both hoaxes.
British Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said the report was “disturbing” and announced measures to regulate more closely who was involved in running schools.
The investigation was sparked by the so-called “Trojan Horse” letter, which was sent to local authorities in November last year detailing an alleged plot to take over schools.
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