Just two days ago, this paper called for any teacher convicted or cautioned for viewing indecent images of children to be banned from the classroom for life.

Our call was made on the back of a staggering decision by the National College of Teaching and Learning to allow an RE teacher sacked for possessing such images to continue in the profession.

The decision has provoke a storm of protest, and last night the Department of Education agreed with us, saying such an offence will mean an automatic ban in future.

However, questions remain about the case of Geoffrey Bettley, sacked from a school in Menston after he received a police caution.

Why did the NCTL professional conduct panel deem that such an offence was not serious enough to warrant a classroom ban? When political opponents like Shipley MP Philip Davies and Bradford Council’s education spokesman Coun Ralph Berry unite in condemnation, it gives some idea of the widespread sense of anger.

What role did Education Secretary Michael Gove play? The panel’s decision is signed off in the name of the Secretary of State; however it was suggested yesterday Mr Gove didn’t sign it personally, and he has not yet spoken.

And how will it affect Mr Bettley? It is unclear whether the decision will be retrospective, but it is difficult to envisage how he can be allowed back into a school as a teacher.

Mr Gove must look closely at what went wrong. The professional conduct panel has to make a decision based on its interpretation of the facts, but it is difficult to envisage a more black and white case than this.

Anyone who downloads child porn has no place in the classroom.