A HEADteachER has been arrested over claims that he harassed a fellow head and a leading education official by sending them anonymous letters.

Alan Smith, 53, was quizzed when the strongly-worded letters were forwarded to education bosses.

The experienced head was immediately suspended from his post at the 515-pupil Mill Hill Primary School, in Sunderland.

It is understood that the letters were sent to a fellow head teacher and an inspector from the local education authority.

The woman head, from a neighbouring school, was allegedly warned that the LEA was "out to get her."

The education official received two letters, the last one of which, sent last year, warned him that he would be unwelcome at a forthcoming headteachers' conference.

Mr Smith, who has a 30-year teaching career behind him, is said to be "bewildered and shocked" that he has fallen under suspicion, and strenuously denies he is responsible.

He has co-operated fully with the police investigation, even agreeing to provide a specimen to compare with any genetic evidence found on the envelopes.

Education chiefs called in police and Mr Smith was arrested for alleged harassment. He has been bailed until March, pending further inquiries.

A Sunderland Education Authority spokesman confirmed Mr Smith's suspension from duty while an investigation takes place.

He said: "The investigation does not concern child safety or protection, finance, or other internal school management issues."

Yesterday, Mr Smith denied the hate mail claims, and is being backed by the National Association of Headteachers, which is trying to overturn his suspension.

John Heslop, of the association, said: "Mr Smith is adamant these allegations are nothing to do with him and he is co-operating with police in order to get this mess cleared up as quickly as possible.

"I want to stress that the content of these anyonyomous letters is not of a threatening or sexual nature.

"Mr Smith's suspension is an automatic action, taken when people become involved in police investigations.

"In no way should it indicate any blame on Mr Smith's part. He is adhering to the decision of school govenors by temporarily leaving the post. There is nothing sinister behind it.

"I am in negotiations with the chair of govenors at Mill Hill School to get Mr Smith reinstated sooner rather than later.

"At present, he is at home and is feeling utterly bewildered by what has happened."

Mr Smith, who is married with children, is highly thought of among his fellow teachers in Sunderland.

He is a qualified Ofsted inspector who briefly left his headship at Mill Hill to pursue another career in education.

He went to work for Cambridge Education Associates, the body responsible for head teacher performance management, before rejoining Mill Hill as head last year.