A teacher who expressed derogatory views about homosexuality, Islam, and drugs, and spread misinformation about various subjects, has been permanently banned from teaching. Patrick Lawler, aged 62, faced charges of professional misconduct and damaging the reputation of the teaching profession. His inappropriate conduct included spreading false information about Covid, making racist comments, and denigrating historical figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King.
The Teaching Regulation Agency’s investigation revealed that Lawler, who taught at Bede Academy in Northumberland and in Bristol, displayed a pattern of unacceptable behavior from 2015 to 2020. Despite a prior warning in 2019, he continued to share controversial opinions and was subsequently employed as a supply teacher in Bristol. Lawler even went as far as misleading students by denying scientific evidence of Covid-19 and making dangerous claims about salt consumption.
Lawler’s actions were deemed as a severe breach of professional standards that could harm the teaching profession’s reputation. His past involvement in promoting divisive views through an online Catholic newsletter further exemplified his problematic behavior. The decision to bar Lawler from teaching indefinitely, with a minimum ban of four years before potential reinstatement, was made due to the high risk of recurrence of similar misconduct.
In response to the ruling, a representative on behalf of the Secretary of State emphasized Lawler’s significant deviation from expected professional conduct and the detrimental impact of his actions on pupils. The ban prohibits Lawler from teaching in any educational setting in England, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct.