It is quite normal that, despite the presumption of innocence, a person under investigation can be considered potentially dangerous and preventive measures are thus put in place.
That is why school teachers who have had allegations made against them are normally suspended, even though those allegations may be totally unfounded and even vindictive.
They may well be exonerated at a later date, but it would be extraordinary for an institution to allow them to remain in post — or to speak in public — during an investigation into serious misconduct.
We shouldn’t allow our personal biases and attachments to cause us to treat cases involving those we respect and admire any differently, if we truly care about the protection of vulnerable people, as we claim we do.
Last modified: 5 December 2017
