An 11-year-old Manchester boy was debarred from the World Book Day celebrations after he turned up at the school dressed as Christian Grey from "Fifty Shades of Grey" wearing a grey suit and carried cable ties and blindfolds.
The school decided to exclude Liam Scholes, a 7th grade pupil at Sale High School in Manchester, from all world book day activities as the authorities objected to his imitating the BDSM-loving character.
The school authorities reportedly called up the boy's mother Nicola Scholes, 36, complaining that Liam's "Fifty Shades of Grey" costume was inappropriate and hence he would not be allowed to participate in themed events and a class photograph, the Manchester Evening News reported.
Scholes, who is a primary school teacher that said she was disappointed with the school, especially since one of the teachers went dressed as serial killer Dexter.
"One of the teachers went dressed as Dexter and I don't see why sex is seen as more offensive than murder," she reportedly said. Scholes said that it was the 11-year old who came up with the idea of dressing up as the iconic Christian Grey from EL James' best-selling erotic trilogy.
Liam told a local morning show that "the content of the book" might be inappropriate for some people. "But I went dressed as Christian Grey just for the laughs," he said.
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
The Sale High School authorities in a statement said, "The school stands by the decision it made yesterday in relation to the costume worn by one of its students to World Book Day," it said.
The school noted that 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."
