Scots RE teacher accused of sharing vile anti-semitic posts from fake profile

An RE teacher shared antisemitic posts online after setting up a fake profile, a hearing was told.

Edward Sutherland admitted to the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) yesterday that he set up a fake Facebook profile under the pseudonym Stevie Harrison.

The 52-year-old, who taught at Belmont Academy in Ayr, has been accused of posting vile messages, including writing: “F*** Israel”.

He admitted posting the messages online but denies breaching the teachers’ code of conduct.

The panel heard evidence from ­pro-Israel lawyer Matthew Berlow, who claims Sutherland set up a fake profile to lure antisemites into exposing their views.

Sammi Stein, a member of Glasgow Friends of Israel, also claimed the account was set up for that purpose.

He said: “Mr Sutherland, as well as a few others in our organisation, have false identities on social media.

“We do this to expose people who express antisemitic sentiments.”

Antisemitic messages from the Stevie Harrison account read: “Back after a 30 day ban, my first thought? F*** Israel.”

While sharing a link to a JustGiving page raising money for a Jewish solicitor, another read: “I’ve seen it all now.

“Zio(Zionist) p***k’s asking for donations.”

Sharing a post from a group member of the Glasgow Palestine Human Rights Campaign Facebook page, he allegedly wrote: “Tried to stitch up a good mate of mine. P***k.

“Free Palestine ya b******”.”

Sutherland was a convener of the Confederation of Friends of Israel at the time but stepped down pending
investigation.

The hearing continues.

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