I'm not a racist, says school inspector

A school inspector at the centre of a row over alleged comments about ethnic minority pupils today insisted: "I'm no racist".

Janet Leaning accused teachers and governors at Woodberry Down Community School in Hackney of " shooting the messenger", because her inspection report condemned it as having "serious weaknesses".

As disclosed by the Standard yesterday, the school has alleged that Ofsted inspectors - employed by Bench Marque Ltd, a company based in Somerset - made racist comments during their inspection.

School governors claim that when commenting on a boy who had been excluded, Ms Leaning said: "Let me guess, this is a boy ... African ... they always are."

Ms Leaning from Faversham, Kent, said she had "no recollection" of making the comment. She also insisted comments about boys and girls looking the same "if they plait their hair" were not directed specifically at Afro-Caribbean children.

She said today: "I'm not in any way racist", adding that comments made "innocently" had been exaggerated.