School assistant in burka bomb joke
AN investigation has been launched after a member of staff at a West Lancashire school appeared to have joked about Muslims wearing the burka on Facebook.
The content appeared on the Facebook page of Liz Leadbetter, who is a welfare assistant at Westhead Lathom St James’ C of E Primary School. A photograph was posted of three people who appeared to be wearing the burka, a garment which is traditionally worn by women in some Muslim countries.
Underneath the photograph was the message: “Derek saw these and did one. By God did we laugh.’ And then: “He wasn’t staying around to get blown up, he said one had at least three vests on under that lot.”
A friend posted: “Trust him lol.”
And then: “Hey he was watching everywhere for them after that lol.”
A friend posted “Got to be honest do you blame him.”
And then: “No way they shouldn’t be allowed here.”
A member of the public alerted the Advertiser to the Facebook posts. She said: “The attachments say it all about a member of Lathom St James Westhead staff being racist and even on a public post for all to see. The post is still up. My mum is affected by these posts and she is not a terrorist.”
The woman, who asked not be named, said that she no longer wanted her daughter to go to the school.
She said: “I am a mum who lives in the Westhead area and I was going to send my daughter to Westhead next September. I am disgusted that the staff are publicly racist on a public post.
“I don’t know this staff member. I am looking to send my daughter to another school instead next year now due to this (which will mean extra travel).
“I just want the best for my daughter.”
The content on Ms Leadbetter’s Facebook page has since been removed.
A new post appeared on the page on Tuesday. It said: “If any of you has a problem with me or my posts, I would appreciate it if contacted me, don’t go behind my back, no harm is ever meant by any of my posts, but if offended please let me know.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said: “I can confirm that we are aware of this issue, which we take extremely seriously. We cannot comment further at this stage as it will be subject to consideration by the school.
“We will support the school throughout this process.”