Who am I? - I am an ex-teacher who retired prematurely due to a malicious so-called investigation by a local authority. Allegations were made against me that, ultimately, were completely dismissed by the Teaching Regulation Agency and the Disclosure and Barring Service. This took 9 months and I was prevented from earning a living as a supply teacher for this entire time, deciding myself to walk away from it altogether at the age of 60. In dismissing the case, the TRA cited 'discrepancies' in the evidence against me that included, inter alia, the falsification of witness statements by a school. However, other than a symbolic £500 payment by the local authority as a result of the year-long investigation by the Local Government Ombudsman, nobody has been brought to account and I have not been compensated in any way.

Summary - The investigation by the LA contravened basic principles of law and never at any stage had the attributes of a bona fide investigation. Their own internal investigation reported that individual officers had simply refused to cooperate and were 'unable' to provide reasonable explanations for their conduct such that the matter was supposedly referred higher. It was a clear abuse of power from the start and that is why I regard it as a Civil Liberties issue. In addition, the Police have failed dismally to act on my allegations of misconduct in a public office by individuals within the LA, devoting all of their energy to trying to fob me off rather than taking a simple and quick action that will lead to a case to answer. Similarly, the Department for Education have done nothing in respect of the people within the school who lied from the word go.

Call to action - I am looking to raise an initial fund to cover the costs of an examination of my case by a suitable law firm including a review by a barrister. This examination will begin by identifying those with a case to answer - the school, the LA and so on. A subsequent call will then seek to raise further funds to pursue a claim if I am advised that there is a strong enough case and also to cover the costs of After The Event insurance cover should the case go to court and the other side(s) seek to claim their own costs against me.

What are we trying to achieve? - When evidential 'discrepancies' are identified by a body such as the TRA, the reasons as to how they came about should be investigated as a necessary follow-up action. This is even more important when those discrepancies include the deliberate falsification of witness statements to support a false narrative. The school perpetrated these falsehoods and the LA went along with them, making no attempt to get to the truth in spite of the clear discrepancies between my evidence and the school's. Moreover, my union did nothing more than the bare minimum when I was defending myself and then nothing at all when I sought to pursue a claim. The LGO found in my favour but my union didn't even bother to advise me of that process and I dispensed with them at that juncture. It is in the public interest to expose these organisations for clear abuses of power and a complete indifference to truth and justice. I know that some people might think that from a personal point of view, perhaps I should just put it behind me and get on with my life but remember Burke, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing".

What is the next step in the case? - I will engage a firm of solicitors to review my case, together with a barrister, to advise me as to whether it is strong enough to bring a claim against the relevant parties for lost earnings and all of the distress sustained over a prolonged period. It may also involve a consideration as to whether there has been criminal conduct by individuals within the LA that the Police have failed to properly investigate.

How much we are raising and why? - I am looking for an initial sum of £5000 to cover the feasibility study by legal counsel.

Thank you for reading about my case; I know that I am just one of many teachers who end up just walking away because it is simply not worth it anymore. If I am successful, schools and local authorities will think twice before conducting these malicious vendettas against people who find ultimately that they have no case to answer but it's all too late by then. Lastly, at least half of any compensation that I might receive will go to charity so include your nomination in a message if you do make a pledge.