Extreme religious views in the workplace need not be tolerated

Children’s Secretary Ed Balls recently threatened to ban extremist teachers from Britain’s schools following a row over claims that two independent Muslim schools were directing public money to an Islamist group, Hizb-ut-Tahir.

Anyone found to be inciting hatred against someone else on the grounds of their religion could be charged under the Racial and Religious Hatred Act 2006. But if local authorities and school governors decide to dismiss teachers who preach racial and religious hatred, they are likely to be sued by those sacked on the grounds of religious discrimination and breach of the human right to hold and manifest religious views.