UK Christian Teacher Fired Over Posts

Simon Pearson is a Christian teacher who was dismissed from Preston College in northern England last year, for expressing concerns about violent crime and two-tier policing.

He recently shared his story at a Reform UK party conference on free speech.

It provided a stark warning about the state of Christian freedom and free speech in the UK under a Labour government.

“My story and case is just one example of the terrible state we have found ourselves in as a country”, Mr. Pearson asserted.

“I am fighting for justice, not just for myself, but for every teacher, every Christian, and every citizen who fears that their voice no longer matters.”

TEACHER’S FIRST POST THAT LED TO A FORMAL COMPLAINT

Mr Pearson, who had a 20-year unblemished teaching record, was dismissed for gross misconduct for two private Facebook posts deemed to be “Islamophobic” in August 2024.

One post expressed concern over violent crime and political bias in response to the assault of two female police officers at Manchester Airport.

Viral video showed Mohammed Fahir Amaaz and his brother assaulting PC Lydia Ward and PC Ellie Cook, breaking one officer’s nose in a violent struggle.

In the immediate aftermath, some in the UK Muslim community attempted to frame the event as unprovoked police brutality, prompting crowds to gather outside a police station and threaten violence.

Several Labour MPs publicly condemned the police before the full video and the truth emerged.

WHAT THE FIRST POST ACTUALLY SAID

Mr. Pearson shared it online, adding:

What brave police endured before that was not shown by these two savages and the leftist woke media.

If these people have no respect for the police and UK law, they need deporting back to their ancestral home and their property confiscated by the state.

They deserved all they got in return and more. The police deserve a medal.

WHAT INCITED THE TEACHER’S SECOND POST

The teacher also accused authorities of two-tier policing over the sentencing of Tory councillor’s wife Lucy Connolly to 31-months jail over her own inflammatory post calling for mass deportations and the burning of immigrant hostels.

It came at the height of public anger over the murders of three young girls at a Southport dance studio which was widely and wrongly linked to Muslim immigrants.

Ms Connolly deleted her post just hours after posting it and pleaded guilty.

She served just under a year behind bars.

Like many free speech supporters, Mr. Pearson believed the sentence was too harsh when many criminals convicted of violence or child abuse received lesser jail terms or none at all.

COLLEGE PRESSURED TO SACK MR. PEARSON

The Islamic representative of the National Education Union at Preston College submitted a formal complaint to the school, alleging that Mr Pearson’s posts were “islamophobic” and “racially discriminatory”

The union rep threatened to go to the police and the media if the teacher was not sacked.

During the investigation and disciplinary hearings that followed, Mr Pearson provided extensive evidence of his support for Muslim students, asylum seekers, and international communities, including letters to the Home Office and personal acts of charity.

He also apologised if he had offended anyone, which he said was not his intention.

TEACHER FORMALLY DISMISSED

Despite this, the investigation, which was carried out by the Principal of the College and HR, concluded that the posts violated College policies, damaged professional relationships, and had the potential to bring the College into disrepute.

Five months after the complaint, Mr Pearson lost his job.

He is now pursuing claims of wrongful dismissal, harassment, and discrimination, supported by the Christian Legal Centre.

SIMON PEARSON DEFENDS HIS POSTS

In his conference speech, Mr Pearson said:

“I’ve been a teacher for over 20 years, serving students from every background with dedication, compassion, and integrity.

“Until last year, I had never faced disciplinary action, never been accused of discrimination, and have always worked to build bridges across communities.”

“But today, I stand before you not as a teacher, but as someone who has been unjustly dismissed by Preston College, branded with the label of “Islamophobia” for expressing concern about violent crime and the erosion of free speech and justice in our country.”

‘I DID NOT INCITE HATRED”

“Let me be clear: I did not incite hatred. I did not target individuals. I spoke out about public events that shocked the nation.”

“I spoke out in defence of police officers who were brutally attacked.”

“I spoke out against double standards in how justice is applied.”

“And for that, I was silenced.”

“THIS IS SIMILAR TO WHAT I ENDURED AS A MISSIONARY IN A COMMUNIST COUNTRY”

“I have worked as a missionary in a communist country, where freedom of speech and religion were tightly controlled.”

“I know what it means to live under a regime where truth is suppressed and conscience is punished.”

“I never imagined I would face similar pressures here in the United Kingdom, a country built on the foundations of liberty, justice, and Christian values.”

“We cannot build a free and fair society by silencing those who speak out against injustice.”

“And we cannot claim to be democratic if we allow ideology to override truth.”

“WE NEED A CULTURAL SHIFT THAT REAFFIRMS CHRISTIAN BELIEFS”

Andrea Williams, Chief Executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: “Simon Pearson’s story is another in a long list of deeply troubling examples of the erosion of free speech in our nation.”

“His case highlights the long standing intolerance toward Christian beliefs and moral convictions, especially when they challenge prevailing secular ideologies.”

“We need a cultural shift that reaffirms the value of Christian beliefs in public life and defends those who live them out.”