I'm dreaming of a halal christmas

In a rare victory of common sense over political correctness, a head teacher who planned to serve only Halal chicken at her school's Christmas lunch has backed down following a protest from parents. Twenty per cent of pupils at Oakwood Comprehensive in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, are British Asians and head teacher Jan Charters said the idea had been intended to extend a spirit of inclusion throughout the school.

They were backed by Labour MP Denis MacShane who said no child should be asked to eat food which did not match their convictions and called on the school to offer a choice on the festive menu.

His request has been accepted and children will now be able to order turkey and a vegetarian option in addition to chicken slaughtered following the Muslim Halal principle as part of the £1.75 meal.

"No child should be obliged to eat food that is contrary to their personal convictions or religion. Schools should offer a choice and not allow the joyous celebrations of a Christmas dinner to become a divisive issue."