A teacher who went into hiding after protests triggered by a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad did not mean to offend and should be allowed to return to work, an investigation has found.

An independent inquiry by a barrister into the incident at Batley Grammar School in West Yorkshire confirmed that the image had been used before and was not an isolated incident.

It said that the religious studies teacher, who was suspended after an outcry from some parents, should be reinstated. The teacher fled the area after threats and it is not known if he will return to the classroom. The incident provoked a nationwide row and criticism of the protests by Gavin Williamson, the education secretary.