The outlet reports that a local child protection agency determined that the teacher’s actions might constitute a “hate crime.”
As reported by The Telegraph, a teacher at a British school claims he was “likened to a terrorist” for showing his students several videos of US President Donald Trump.
According to the newspaper, the man was compelled to resign from Henley College in Oxfordshire after being accused of radicalizing students and causing them “emotional harm,” which the teacher characterized as “dystopian” persecution.
An internal investigation into the teacher, a man in his 50s who requested anonymity, was initiated back in January. Reportedly, it followed some complaints from students, who alleged that his teaching was “biased” and “off – topic” because of the Trump videos. One of the students was also allegedly so “emotionally disturbed” by the clips that they had nightmares.
His case was ultimately referred to a child protection agency, which, in turn, concluded that the teacher’s views “could be seen as radical” and instructed the school to report him to the Prevent – a UK government program aimed at combating terrorist radicalization in schools and other places.
“They compared me to a terrorist. It was extremely shocking. It’s dystopian, like something out of a George Orwell novel,” the teacher told the paper when commenting on his case. He contended that he only showed the videos as part of a discussion about the 2024 US election. He also accused the school of “complete Left – wing bias,” adding: “They can’t stand anything related to Donald Trump.”
As per The Telegraph, the teacher initiated a grievance procedure against the school and reached a negotiated settlement. He was given a £2,000 ($2,700) payout after being effectively forced to resign from his position with an annual salary of £44,000 ($59,410).
Relations between the US and its European allies have been strained since Trump returned to the White House in January. His administration has specifically criticized the approach of Western European nations to migration and warned that they are facing “civilizational erasure” due to their current political and cultural direction.