Schoolboy's Christian Grey costume banned from World Book Day event
An 11-year-old boy who dressed up as the lead character from Fifty Shades of Grey was excluded from his school's World Book Day celebrations over his 'inappropriate' choice of costume, his mother claims.
Liam Scholes arrived at Sale High School, in Manchester, England, as Christian Grey from the erotic novel and blockbuster, wearing a grey suit and carrying bondage cable ties and an eye mask as props.
His mother Nicola Scholes, a primary school teacher, said her son's school ruled the costume was inappropriate and banned her son from participating in the events of the day.
UK schools mark World Book Day by asking pupils to dress as their favourite literary characters.
Ms Scholes, 36, said she does not regret allowing her son to dress up as the BDSM-addicted protagonist and accused the school of double standards.
She claimed one teacher was dressed as blood-spattered pattern analyst turned serial killer Dexter from the book and US television series.
My secondary school son. @EamonnHolmes @lemontwittor @KTHopkins @GranadaReports pic.twitter.com/WfHIYJEaPr
— nicola scholes (@clangar) March 5, 2015
She told Good Morning Britain: "I don't regret allowing him to go as that character.
"He's a character that has been put out there on the television and all aspects of media.
"Every child at the age of 11 knows who he was. He walked into school yesterday and every child knew who he was.
"I don't think he has gone as something that has not been accessible to children of his age before."
offensive costume.Excluded from photos, told to change yet teacher dressed as a serial killer and others with guns? pic.twitter.com/8OTZ9gPvEh
— nicola scholes (@clangar) March 5, 2015
Liam insisted his costume was just a tongue-in-cheek joke and was not meant to offend.
"I think it's the content of the book that might make people think that it's inappropriate," he said. "But I went into school as Christian Grey just for a laugh, not anything else."
Prinicpal Lynn Nicholls rejected reports the boy had been excluded from the day's activities.
She told the Guardian: "The student was not excluded from taking part in any of the activities as has been wrongly reported.
"His costume was modified and he was then able to fully participate and enjoy the day with his peers.
"The aim of our World Book Day events was to celebrate and encourage reading and we are disappointed that what was a fantastic day for our student shave been marred by this issue."
News break – March 07
