19/02/2017 North West Tonight

Oldham Council has denied newspaper reports of a "Trojan Horse" Islamic

plot to take over a state school in the town.

The Sunday Times says concerns have been raised by the head teacher

A little earlier our reporter Yunus Mulla gave me the latest.

Their allegations concern the activities of a number

of people connected to Clarksfield Primary School

in Oldham and claims of a Trojan Horse style plot

The Sunday Times reports the head teacher, Patricia O'Donnell,

has expresed concerns about her own safety

after receiving death threats and aggressive verbal abuse,

and that the head teachers' union NAHT is currently supporting

a number of members in the Oldham area with a variety of apparent

Now, the school was criticised by Ofsted in 2013 for its

quotes a confidential report on the views of local authority

officers at the time - they claimed a former governor,

Nasim Ashraf, and others were "seeking to secure changes

to reflect their interpretation of Islam, and were behaving in a way

which harassed and sought to intimidate school staff,

It is important to add here that the report concluded this

did not constitute a Trojan plot and that Mr Ashraf was not

an extremist and was not found to have intimidated anyone.

You spoke to Mr Ashraf today - what did he tell you?

He stated categorically that he had nothing to do with any Trojan Horse

plot against the head teacher and had only got involved in

the school to improve it because of his Muslim beliefs.

Mr Ashraf is known locally for his charity work and said

he was concerend about the damage this could do to his reputation

They said they take allegations of this kind very seriously

It went on to add, "The report found no basis

We have no active investigations or concerns about any

We were not able to contact the head teacher or her union

or the current chair of governors, but I'm told that a number of people

connected with this story will be making a comment in the coming days.

Hundreds of police investigations are being reviewed after two men

who work at a forensic science lab in Manchester were arrested

on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

Randox Testing Services in Blackley provides drug and alcohol tests

The company has been working with Greater Manchester

It said the investigation centred on the manipulation of data

rather than any tampering with actual tests.

Parishoners of the Church of Ascension in Salford,

which burned down last week, have attended Sunday service

A 22-year-old man from Salford, who was arrested on suspicion of

The Bishop of Manchester and other faith leaders attended the service

One week on from the fire, we are still finding out how bad the

damage to the building is and what the future

We have had wonderful pledges of help and support

from other Christian communities, from the city of Salford,

from the Jewish community, from the Muslim community,

who are all with us in our tragedy and keen to help out in whatever

Highlights of the all North West FA Cup 5th round tie

between Blackburn Rovers and Manchester United

follow this bulletin, as does news on the

In Rugby Unions' Premiership today a hat-trick from Denny Solomona

pushed Sale to a 34-24 victory against leaders Wasps.

Changing codes, and Wigan have been crowned World Club Champions

after beating the Crunulla Sharks this afternoon by 22-6.

That being said, there was also plenty of

The best of any breaks over in the east and that cloud

thickening from the west through the day.

As we move through tonight it will be quite a murky affair.

Lots of low cloud, mist and murk, hill fog

Temperatures falling to an overnight low of between eight and

So not falling very far from our daytime high.

Tomorrow looking quite similar to today.

Lots of cloud around, some outbreaks of

rain through the day and any breaks really in limited supply.

Temperatures reaching a maximum of 13 Celsius,

breeze will have picked up by the time we move

We've got a mild day on the way tomorrow

with plenty of cloud and

outbreaks of rain, but things will turn more

unsettled as we move into

That is it from me. Have a very peaceful night. Good night.