'Right-wing' UK teen: Teacher told me to 'get out' of class — 'We don’t want people with your views\

A 17-year-old student in England said a teacher told her to leave on the first day of class over her "right-wing" opinions, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Alissa Cook-Gray said the teacher of the art and employability course told her, "Get out. We don’t want people with your views," the Stoke Sentinel reported, adding that the teen said she told classmates during a political debate that she admires anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson.

Robinson was jailed earlier this year after he reportedly streamed live on Facebook alleged members of an Islamic child sex-grooming gang entering a courtroom building for their trial. Hundreds demonstrated in support of Robinson.



Cook-Gray added to the outlet that she chose to quit the class at Total People in Crewe, Cheshire, after about an hour of instruction and that she's "terrified" to return.

“I was given a final warning for being too right-wing," she said, according to the Mail, adding that "everyone should be allowed to have their own opinion, but I felt mine was just shot down."

Cook-Gray signed up for the training-center course as a "fresh start" so she could acquire qualifications in math and English before taking an apprenticeship, the outlet said.

Here's Cook-Gray giving more of her take on what happened:



How did the teen's father react?

Her father, 38-year-old Gareth Cook, said the school shouldn't discriminate against others' political views, the Mail said.

“I’m absolutely fuming at what happened, and they should not have turned around and said she might not be able to continue with the course," he added, the outlet said. "She had to sit there and put up with opinions she doesn’t agree with, and they only reacted like this because it’s Tommy Robinson. I’m a big fan and think the guy is a legend, but this is how people react when they hear his name."

What did the school have to say?

"We are an inclusive organization," a spokesperson for Total People told the Mirror. "We are values led, and we ask that all learners are collaborative; respect each other’s views and work toward common goals. We have successfully worked with learners over a 20+ year period from many different backgrounds, religions, and diverse cultures. We are confident that we provide a fair and supportive environment that enables everyone to work together and achieve their learning and employment goals. We uphold British values of Democracy, Rule of Law, Respect and Tolerance, and Individual Liberty."