A teacher has been prohibited from teaching after making inappropriate remarks to students, including stating that Ukrainians are Nazis and that gay and transgender individuals are mentally ill. The teacher, William Garwood, defended his comments during the investigation by citing his religious belief in Islam and his anti-Nazi philosophical stance.

The Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA) panel learned that during a history lesson at St Mary’s Menston Catholic Voluntary Academy, a pupil asked Mr. Garwood about just wars, to which he responded affirmatively. The panel was informed that Mr. Garwood expressed satisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s actions in Ukraine, referring to Russians as “satanic Nazis” and labeling Ukrainians as evil creations of billionaires.

While Russia has accused Ukraine’s government of being influenced by radical nationalist and neo-Nazi groups, the TRA concluded that Mr. Garwood’s comments amounted to justifying Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in front of students. Additionally, Mr. Garwood made derogatory remarks about gay and transgender individuals during the same class, stating they are mentally ill.

Mr. Garwood defended his views on transgender issues as aligned with his Islamic beliefs and traditional British values, arguing that students misinterpreted his statements. He asserted his right to his religious and philosophical beliefs under the Equality Act 2010.

The TRA panel deemed Mr. Garwood’s remarks inappropriate and irrelevant to the lesson’s subject matter, criticizing his generalizations about Ukrainians and his derogatory comments about gay and transgender people. They expressed concerns about the potential impact on students and the lack of balance or exploration of alternative perspectives in his delivery.

Concluding that Mr. Garwood’s conduct was significantly outside acceptable teaching practice, the panel found his comments discriminatory. Mr. Garwood is prohibited from seeking a reversal of the ban until June 2032.