The teacher was suspended from school after using a coffee mug with the image of Prophet Muhammad on it

The teacher was suspended from one of the country’s top high schools for alleged Islamophobia after he was pictured with a mug bearing an image of the Prophet Muhammad

A teacher has been suspended from one of the country’s top high schools for alleged Islamophobia after using a coffee mug bearing an image of the Prophet Muhammad.

The teacher, who was not named, worked at Colchester Royal Grammar School in Essex, which was recently ranked the ninth best selective school in the UK by the Sunday Times.

The school, which last year offered more students Oxbridge places than any high school in Britain, has also been accused of a “toxic rape culture” by a former student.

He was suspended for alleged Islamophobia after he was pictured in the schoolyard with a mug that appeared to have cartoon drawings of Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad on it.

In speech bubbles, the Jesus figure appeared to be saying “Hey” while Prophet Muhammad replied, “How are you?”

The drawing is reportedly the work of the British author, who works under the pseudonym Mohammad Jones, who created a satirical work depicting Jesus and the Prophet Muhammad.

School bosses said “tough action” would be taken against the teacher if necessary.

For many Muslims, depictions of the Prophet Mohammed are forbidden as they are considered highly offensive.

A teacher at Batley Grammar School in Yorkshire was suspended last March for showing a picture of the figure during a religion lesson, sparking protests outside the school gates.

A spokesman for Colchester Royal Grammar School said: “We have been notified that an image has been shared online by someone who appears to be using a mug with an objectionable image.

“We are currently investigating the matter.

“While we cannot comment on individuals, this will be reviewed in accordance with our policies and procedures and appropriate robust action taken where necessary.”

The school, which has around 1,000 pupils, was branded “inadequate” by Ofsted last year after finding that children were being subjected to sexist and racist comments.

But inspectors during a surveillance visit in February noted that leaders were taking “effective action”.