A 'TASTELESS and offensive' Facebook post allegedly shared by a member of staff at a Bradford secondary school is at the centre of a police investigation.

Bosses at Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College reported the matter to police as a hate crime yesterday, saying "prejudice and racism in any form is not acceptable" in or out of its school.

But police are also looking into a complaint by the staff member, Angie Dunn, a member of non-teaching support staff, that her Facebook account was maliciously hacked.

A screen-shot appears to show that she shared a post by far-right organisation Britain First which described the niqab, or Islamic face veil, as offensive.

Last night, school principal Jen McIntosh said: "We have dealt with this matter swiftly and informed the police right away.

“It will now be investigated in the proper way and will be dealt with accordingly.

"We will not allow any isolated incident to distract from our focus on delivering a high quality education to all our students, as a welcoming, inclusive and supportive environment for the whole community."

The school declined to say whether the staff member had been suspended.

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A statement posted on the school's website added it was aware of "an alleged issue involving a member of staff's use of social media".

It said: "We must stress this does not represent the views of Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College."

A letter sent by Mrs McIntosh to all parents, and seen by the T&A, says: "You may be aware of the tasteless and offensive Facebook post regarding the hijab allegedly posted by a member of staff.

"This appalling action in no way represents the thoughts, feelings or actions of Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College and the 207 other individuals who work here.

"Prejudice and racism in any form is not acceptable in our out of our college and any such behaviour is taken very seriously. That is why the matter has been reported to the police for investigation as a hate crime."

West Yorkshire Police said its investigation involved the school’s complaint and that of a member of school staff that her Facebook account had been hacked.

A police spokesman said: "At about 11.50am today, police were contacted by a member of staff at Laisterdyke Business and Enterprise College about an inappropriate picture which had been shared on their social media page.

"Enquiries are continuing into this matter."

Concerned parents were yesterday contacting councillors about the allegations.

Councillor Mohammed Shafiq, (Lab, Bradford Moor) said he had ten calls in an hour from worried parents.

He said: "I'm pleased that the school has launched a full investigation to look into this matter and the priority remains the education of our children. I'm sure once this investigation is concluded, the school will inform councillors and parents of the outcome.

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"I'm sure the school will do everything possible to get to the bottom of this issue."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member for schools at Bradford Council, said: "Bradford Council and its schools will not tolerate any instance of prejudice, in any shape or form.

"It is in everyone's best interests that the college remains a united and calm environment so it can get on with looking after and educating all of its students.

“The Council has had assurances from the college that it is following the proper procedure in investigating the matter and has put this investigation in place very quickly.

"Obviously the school and the police must now be given the opportunity to thoroughly investigate this."