Sexually explicit material does offend and distress many people, but persecuting pornography does have special appeal to those wishing to advance by spying on colleagues in a cowardly and sanctimonious fashion.

The fact that such conduct is tolerated and even encouraged by professional bodies shows a tacit approval of tale-telling.

That destroys the basic trust that is essential for the professional well-being of a school.

The teacher’s only offence was that he used school time and resources for pursuing private interests. He did not share the pornography with minors.

Had he done so, it would have been another matter entirely.

A discreet and suitable verbal, or at the most, written warning, ought to have been sufficient.

Pornography is not illegal between consenting adults. It is the task of the legislature and police to crack down on its accessibility, not the General Teaching Council for England.

No self-respecting professionals, such as accountants, solicitors, judgesand government ministers would put up with such crude intrusion into personal matters.

Neither should our teachers stand for it.

Jacob Solomon Anglican international school Jerusalem