A devout Christian, Izzy Montagu, who claims her four-year-old son was forced to take part in an LGBT pride parade is suing the school

A devout Christian who claims her four-year-old son was forced to take part in an LGBT pride parade is suing the school

Izzy Montagu, 38, said she was told by the headteacher of Heavers Farm Primary School in South Norwood, southeast London, that her son could not opt out of the event in June 2018.

The school sent a letter to parents on 19 June inviting them to partake in a Pride march and ‘celebrate the differences that make them and their family special.’

But a week later, Mrs. Montague contacted the school ‘and asked for her son to be excused from attendance on 29 June as they were concerned of him being involved of a public display of adherence to views which she did not accept.’

Mrs. Montague’s request was refused by the headteacher Ms. Susan Papas so the parent replied with a lengthy email on 13 July, Central London County Court heard.

At the start of the eight-day case, Judge Christopher Lethem described Mrs. Montague and her husband as ‘devout born-again Christians, and they bear a belief that sexual relations should be abstained from or take place within a life-long marriage between a man and a woman and any activity outside those confines is sinful.

‘They also say pride is considered to be the most serious of the deadly sins.’

Mrs. Montague attended a meeting with Ms. Papas on 19 September in which the headteacher’s daughter wore a t-shirt with the slogan: ‘Why be racist, sexist, homophobic, or transphobic when you could just be quiet?’, the court heard.

Giving evidence Mrs. Montague told the court, prior to the incident, she had expressed concerns to her son’s teacher about the types of books they were reading in class

Ian Clarke, representing the school, asked: ‘What books where they?’

Mrs. Montague said: ‘There was one reference to a same-sex family book.’

‘I believe it’s called The Family Book,’ said Mr. Clarke.

‘I can’t remember the exact name, just that was included in the lessons,’ she answered.

‘Me personally, it’s not something I would celebrate…… It’s not something I would choose to celebrate.”