A teacher has been suspended from Shenfield High School after a report in a national newspaper claimed that he was a "witch".

Ralph Morse, who has been appointed youth manager of the Pagan Federation, is now awaiting the results of an investigation into his activities.

Head teacher at the Alexander Lane, school, John Fairhurst, said: "A teacher's private activities are, of course, his private activities. However, there is now no doubt that this man's private interests are impinging upon the school.

"The member of staff concerned has been suspended from school pending an investigation into the extent of his activities and the conflict of interests that arise between his out of school activities and his professional role.

"Now that the matter is one of staff discipline that must be resolved fairly and properly by a full hearing of governors it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further upon this individual incident.

"At Shenfield we are very aware of our duty to educate the children in our care in accordance with the spiritual, moral and cultural expectations of our parents."

Kate West, vice-president of the Pagan Federation, said the decision was "biased and bigoted".

"It should cause concern to all sorts of minority groups."

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