By Grant Smith, education reporter

DUNDEE EAST MP Stewart Hosie has publicly offered his support to the suspended deputy head teacher of Sidlaw View Primary.

After meeting Linda Ross, he said, “The allegations she has made are very serious.

“Our concern is the education of the children and the safety of pupils and teachers.

“As her MP, I will offer her all the support I can should her suspension turn into disciplinary proceedings.”

Mrs Ross is now signed off work sick.

Other local politicians were active yesterday, looking into claims of violence and indiscipline at the Kirkton school and the way these have been handled by education officials.

Dundee West MSP Joe FitzPatrick said the concerns of the SNP about the department were “growing by the day” and the party appears poised to seek a debate on the Sidlaw View situation when the city council meets on Monday.

But after meeting education director Anne Wilson, Mr FitzPatrick said he had been presented with evidence that some of the claims made about trouble at the school were inaccurate or exaggerated.

The SNP meeting with Mrs Wilson, which also included Strathmartine councillor Stewart Hunter, was held after party members were contacted directly by parents with information about misbehaviour at the school.

Beforehand, Mr FitzPatrick said, “The main thing is to find out if these allegations of violence are true and what is being done to deal with the problem.”

He emerged from the meeting saying, “The council has shown us good evidence that there are proper procedures in place and also shown us that some of the reports are inaccurate and some have been exaggerated.

“Most importantly, they have provided evidence that there are procedures in place for dealing with situations like these.

“There are two sides to this story and we have to listen to what they have said to back up their side.”

Contacts are being planned with Sidlaw View teachers and with the EIS union, which represents most of them, he said.

Mr Hunter will be pressing for a debate on the allegations and the council’s response.

He said, “I think it is appropriate the whole council is given full details of the allegations and what the education department is doing in response, so all councillors are aware of the situation.”

Dundee-based Labour MSP Marlyn Glen also welcomed the independent inquiry plan, saying, “The top priorities have to be the safety and education of the pupils and the security and well-being of the staff.

“No one should under- estimate the emotional impact of aggression and unruliness on teachers.

“Parents and staff need to be assured all allegations of such acts will be dealt with professionally.”