News round-up

Gove’s attack on teachers

Tory education secretary Michael Gove snuck in a fresh attack on education as the Olympics began last week.

He announced that you don’t have to be a qualified teacher to work in an academy school. The move will give children a worse education while undermining the pay and conditions of teachers.

Russian band in hooligan trial

Three members of all-female punk group Pussy Riot are standing trial in Russia, accused of hooliganism. If they are found guilty they could be jailed for up to seven years.

In February the band burst into Moscow’s biggest cathedral and performed one of their songs calling for president Vladimir Putin’s downfall. The trial is part of a wider attempt to crush dissent.

Two officers on trial for racism

Two Metropolitan Police officers will stand trial accused of making racist remarks to their colleagues. Both officers are based in Newham, east London.

The alleged comments were made “within a group of officers”, said the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which investigated the case.

The Met also said that a third officer, an acting police sergeant, will face internal disciplinary action for failures in supervision.