PM 'sorry for airgun teacher'

Tony Blair has expressed sympathy for a special needs teacher jailed for confronting yobs with an airgun.

Linda Walker fired at the pavement outside her home in Urmston, Greater Manchester, in August last year.

The 48-year-old was jailed for six months in March. She lost an appeal to be freed on bail pending an appeal and is likely to be stopped from working as a teacher.

But in an interview with BBC's Granada Reports, the Prime Minister indicated the Government could intervene.

He said: "I actually feel very sorry for Linda Walker and hope the Home Office minister has intervened in her disciplinary hearing to ensure it is at a time when she can be there."