Teacher banned after telling Grantham pupils ‘Muslims worship the Devil’

Reverend Robert West, who stood as a British National Party (BNP) candidate in Boston, made the comments during history lessons at the girls’ school.

The National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) took action after pupils complained.

Mr West, 59, said he made the comments in the context of a lesson about the Crusades in November 2013.

In 2006, West set up his own church in Holbeach, to preach “traditional bible beliefs”.

The NCTL panel upheld claims he had made inappropriate comments to students while working as a supply teacher in Grantham, on November 8, 2013.

West was also accused of telling pupils he was “allergic to Mohammedans” and “Any non-Christian God is demonic”.

A panel took evidence from pupils and staff at the Grantham school, as well as West himself.

It concluded that West’s conduct fell well short of the standards expected of the profession and included acts of breach of trust which affect the reputation of the teaching profession.

The ruling means he is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England.

He may apply for the prohibition order to be set aside, but not until May 12, 2018.

Mr West stood in the Boston and Skegness constituency for the General Election and came last with just 119 votes.