There has been understandable alarm throughout the country about recent events at Kettlethorpe High School in Wakefield. I share it. West Yorkshire police recorded a non-crime hate incident after a boy dropped a copy of the Quran, which appeared to have been scuffed. The mother of the boy has said he is autistic. Appallingly, he has received death threats and there has been considerable unrest.
I have already indicated my deep concern about this case and the way it has been handled, but it raises a number of broader issues.
The education sector and police have a duty to prioritise the physical safety of children over the hurt feelings of adults. Schools answer to pupils and parents. They do not have to answer to self-appointed
