Birmingham probes Muslim takeover of schools 'plot'

Birmingham launched a probe Monday into an alleged hardline Muslim plot to take control of schools.

The city council said it had appointed a chief adviser to examine at least 200 complaints as the investigation widened to 25 schools from an initial four.

Concerns about how some of the 430 schools in the city were being run first emerged last year in a leaked anonymous letter which outlined how to implement what it called Operation Trojan Horse.

The letter, which credited the alleged plot with forcing a change of leadership at four schools, gave instructions on ousting and replacing uncooperative headteachers and school governors.

"We have an obligation to our children to fulfil our roles and ensure these schools are run on Islamic principles," the letter says.

"We... are on our way to getting rid of more headteachers and taking over their schools."

The letter continued: "You must remember this is a 'jihad' and as such all means possible to win the war is acceptable." Keep reading