Trojan Horse report uncovered 'clear evidence' of extremism

ITV News correspondent Juliet Bremner reports

A government-ordered inquiry into the 'Trojan horse' allegations in Birmingham schools and trusts found "clear evidence" of extremism today.

The report by former counter-terrorism officer Peter Clarke said the report had uncovered practices that had "no place in state non-faith schools".

More: List of 18 schools investigated over 'Muslim plot' claims

The Education Secretary, Nicky Morgan called the findings of Peter Clarke's report "disturbing".

Morgan told MPs there was "compelling evidence" that hardline Muslims had tried to gain control of the governing bodies of a small number of schools.

Peter Clarke's report showed an Credit: ITV News

In the report by Mr Clarke, it claimed there was an "aggressive Islamist agenda" into some schools in Birmingham.

Park View Educational Trust were of those schools and had been at the centre of allegations. Credit: PA

Park View Educational Trust were of those schools and had been at the centre of allegations.

The Trust runs three schools in Birmingham - all of which have been subjected to snap Ofsted inspections in recent weeks.

Anonymous whistle-blowers, including former teachers, have also come forward since the Trojan Horse claims hit the headlines.

The allegations include:

  • Segregation of boys and girls in classes and assemblies

  • A ban on sex education

  • Bullying of non-Muslim staff

  • Staff member praised al Qaida-linked Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in an assembly

  • Christmas festivities banned

  • Other foreign languages scapped apart from Arabic

More: Clarke: 'Aggressive Islamist agenda' in some schools

Lee Rigby was murdered by Islamist extremists in May 2013. Credit: Reuters

The report said teachers at schools involved in the investigation claimed the murder of Lee Rigby was also "some kind of staged event or hoax".

More: 'Trojan Horse' teachers 'thought Lee Rigby death a hoax'

The report also said that pupils at Golden Hillock school in Birmingham were also allegedly shown images of jihad "in a classroom setting", including rockets being launched and battlefields.

Many parents also thought they would be speaking out "against Islam" if they had questioned changes to the school curriculum at Oldknow Academy, a parent has said.

Read more on the government report today on Trojan Horse'.