An inquiry into allegations of a hard-line Islamist plot to take over 25 Birmingham schools is to be led by the Met's former national head of counter terrorism, it has been announced.
But the appointment of Peter Clarke, an ex-deputy assistant commissioner, has been criticised as "desperately unfortunate" by the chief constable of West Midlands Police, Chris Sims.
The allegations of the plot came to light in March in a letter, apparently proposing a co-ordinated effort to replace staff - including heads teachers - who were unsympathetic to Muslim doctrines.
Reeta Chakrabarti reports.