12:20pm Wednesday 3rd March 2010
By Alex Hayes
A BARNET teacher embroiled in a scandal over bonuses at a Wembley school says he has been gagged.
Police are investigating a report detailing more than £1m in bonuses paid to senior staff at Copland Community School, including former deputy head of finance Dr Riachard Evans.
The Arkley resident is alleged to have received more than £300,000 on top of his salary, and was sacked for gross financial misconduct following a disciplinary hearing in November.
Headteacher Sir Alan Davies was allegedly paid more than £600,000 on top of his salary.
But alongside allegations of bonuses, described as “unlawful and irrational” by Brent Council, managers at the school were also accused of holding lavish parties in the House of Commons.
Dr Evans broke months of silence to defend the events, saying the only reason he hasn't defended himself before is because he was threatened with the sack.
He said: “The dinners were intended to raise funds, and did raise funds. Guests at the dinners gave generous donations to the school – I have letters proving this.
“Two separate cheques for £100,000 and others for £50,000 were all given to Copland School. And there were more. Brent has the evidence, but did not reveal it in the course of their inquiry.
“These funds, and therefore the annual dinners, financially benefitted Copland school – to say nothing of the fact that such occasions were important to show what work was done at the school, and what it stood for – all useful publicity.”
He told the Times Series Hank Roberts, who originally blew the whistle on both the bonuses and the parties, was invited and attended a number of events.
He said: “My main reaction to his statement is this is a diversion from the primary charge which is them taking the money, which was a very large amount and was unlawful.
“He said they were fundraising events, the headteacher was paid £600,000 extra himself. I would like to know where the money raised through the dinners went.”
He said teaching staff were initially invited to the dinners but as time went on the guest lists shrunk until they only included senior managers.
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