Former Dundee teacher Mike Barile has accused the General Teaching Council for Scotland (GTCS) of engaging in a “witch-hunt” after being called to face a disciplinary hearing two years after walking away from the profession.
Mr Barile lost his career in teaching when he was sacked from Lawside Academy after being convicted of assaulting two 14-year-old pupils.
The Court of Appeal in Edinburgh later granted him an absolute discharge and criticised prosecutors for having brought a criminal action in the first place, given the “disgraceful behaviour” of the pupils involved and the “relatively insignificant” nature of Mr Barile’s response.
The GTCS have called him to a disciplinary hearing today, despite Mr Barile giving up his career.
He said, “I’d call it a witch-hunt. When I got the absolute discharge I thought it was the end of this mess.
“I wanted to draw a line under things and get on with my life but now this has happened.
“I’ve not been employed as a teacher for the last two years and don’t plan on taking up any teaching position.
“I could understand if I was applying for a teaching post but I’ve not applied for anything and I’m not interested in doing so, so I don’t know why they’re doing this.”
Since leaving the classroom, Mr Barile has done voluntary work with football charity United For All he was until recently a fans’ representative on the Dundee United FC board and at his church.
A spokesman for the GTCS said that the body does not discuss the details of individual cases, but that it is a legal requirement for every case to be investigated.