Teacher sacked unfairly

An Asian teacher who was sacked after allegations that he used a stand-in at his interview, yesterday won a claim for unfair dismissal.

Kantilal Patel, 42, was sacked two years after he was appointed to Coventry City Council's teaching pool, an industrial tribunal in Birmingham was told.

Two head teachers said he was not the man who had impressed them during an interview for a primary school teaching post.

Early last year, rumours began to circulate within Coventry's education authority that Mr Patel had sent a friend to his teaching interview who could speak perfect English.

Yesterday the tribunal ruled that the education authority did not have enough evidence to support the claim to sack him.

The case was adjourned until 13 January, when a decision will be taken on whether to reinstate or compensate Mr Patel.