Teacher sacked after criticising sentence handed to Northampton childminder Lucy Connolly for racist tweet
A teacher has been sacked for criticising the sentence handed to Northampton childminder Lucy Connolly who was jailed for a racist tweet.
Simon Pearson, who had taught English at Preston College for 20 years, posted on Facebook criticising the 31-month sentence handed to Connolly, saying it is an example of ‘two-tier policing’. The teacher said Connolly should not have been jailed, but he did also condemn what Connolly said within her tweet.
A formal complaint was submitted to the college alleging that Mr Pearson’s posts were Islamophobic and racially discriminatory.
Speaking to GB News, Mr Pearson said: “Policing social media is awful for our country.
“You should be able to express what you really believe, what is of concern within society, without fear of recrimination.
“My 30 year record has been unblemished until they’ve labelled me as something that I’m absolutely not. It’s a travesty really and that’s why I’m fighting to clear my name.”
According to GB News, the school’s investigation concluded that Mr Pearson had violated the school’s policies and he was dismissed in February. Mr Pearson is taking legal action in the form of an employment tribunal.
A Preston College spokesperson said: “Upon receipt of complaints from a number of our staff, an internal investigation was undertaken into whether some of Mr Pearson’s social media posts were a breach of the College’s Staff Behaviour Code and Values. Following an investigation and subsequent disciplinary process, Mr Pearson was dismissed from his employment at the College.
“The College takes seriously its responsibility to uphold acceptable standards of behaviour in line with our values. High expectations of professional conduct are put in place in order to promote supportive practices in the workplace and with our students. To help staff attain these standards, the College provides regular training.”
Connolly, aged 42, of Parkfield Avenue, Delapre, pleaded guilty to publishing material intending to stir up racial hatred. She was sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court in October 2024. Her now-deleted post called for mass deportation and suggested setting fire to hotels housing immigrants, in response to misinformation that circulated following the murder of three girls in Southport last summer.