A nursery teacher has quit her job after she posted pictures of her young son dressed as a paramilitary soldier complete with camouflage and a toy gun online.
Catherine Forrest shared images of the boy in the get-up, which also included gloves and a balaclava, which she captioned: “My wee volunteer.”
In another pic, which showed the child with an adult male also wearing a balaclava, the lad was pointing the gun at the camera
The post sparked outrage among parents and the mum later resigned, the Daily Record reported.
A source said: “The photos have rightly caused outrage and complaints were made. It really is a staggering lack of common sense.
“Taking pictures like this is one thing. Sharing them privately with friends or family you know are like-minded is another.
“But to post them on a public social media account, which you’ve been using to interact with the official page of the nursery where you’re on a placement, is insane.”
Forrest had been on a placement at the nursery which is part of Our Lady and St Joseph’s Primary School in Glenboig, Lanarkshire.
The mum was doing an HNC to become an early years practitioner before she resigned from the role, although the pictures remain on her profile.
A post on the school’s Twitter page last month welcomed her to the nursery.
It read: “We would like to welcome Mrs Forrest to our nursery family.
“Mrs Forrest is currently studying her HNC and will be attending her placement after this week on Thursday and Friday. Welcome to the team Mrs Forrest #dreamteam.”
She replied: “Thanks, I’m loving it. Kids and staff are all brilliant.” But she quit after the pictures were brought to the attention of bosses.
A spokesperson for North Lanarkshire Council said: “Mrs Forrest no longer works for North Lanarkshire Council.”
Scottish Conservative community safety spokesman Russell Findlay said: “For any parent to dress their child up as a terrorist is abhorrent, let alone someone who works with children.
“The IRA indiscriminately murdered many innocent people, including children, during their long campaign of terror.”
