Birmingham City Council officials investigating an alleged plot by Muslim hardliners to take control of schools say they have seen no evidence of links to extremism, BBC News has learned.
But they have found “significant grievances” about governance and leadership, some on a large scale.
Officials were secretly recorded at a meeting with governors and teachers on Wednesday and a copy sent to the BBC. Birmingham City Council did not comment as the investigation is ongoing.
Education watchdog Ofsted and the Department for Education are also looking into the claims.
More than 20 schools in Birmingham are being investigated after a letter, apparently sent to someone in Bradford, claimed a Muslim faction had sought to gain influence over schools and remove staff who were not sympathetic to its religious agenda.
Wednesday’s meeting was held to give an opportunity for teachers and staff from the schools who have featured in the investigations to speak directly to Birmingham City Council’s chief executive, Mark Rogers, and Peter Hay, its director of children’s services.
Although they are not directly controlled by the local education authority, representatives from academy schools were also present.
The meeting was taped by one of the attendees and the recording has been sent to the BBC, as well as other media organisations.
Nigel Farage’s attempt to hold his first rally in Scotland last night saw a couple of dozen Ukip members outnumbered by hordes of protesters.
Shipley MP Philip Davies has blamed “the politically correct brigade” for halal meat being sold to unwitting customers across the country.
