A SCHOOL teacher suspended on full pay for the past nine years has decided to quit - leaving taxpayers to pay a bill running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Anthony McNally, aged 53, has left his £25,000-a-year post after agreeing a settlement with his local education authority.

Mr McNally was suspended from Woodhey High School, in Ramsbottom, in 1995, after a 15-year-old boy accused him of "inappropriate touching".

The teacher was then put through a seven year ordeal which saw several inquiries launched into the allegations, which were never proven.

Yesterday it emerged Labour-run Bury Council, which has been paying the bill, has allowed McNally to leave by mutual agreement.

The massive bill he leaves is made up of his salary, legal fees, plus wages paid to teachers who took over his duties. Some estimates have put the final costs at more than £1 million.

Last night Dorothy Gunther, Conservative councillor for Ramsbottom, where McNally taught, said: "I think it is absolutely appalling. The whole process has been ridiculous and this has poured good money down the drain."

"But the legal system is just a joke. All the money spent on this has been taxpayers' money and it's such a tragic waste."

David Higgins, Conservative councillor for Tottington where McNally lives, said: "This has been a ridiculous situation and a ridiculous amount of money has been spent on it."

Mr McNally, who lives in Tottington, was a teacher of English at Woodhey High School from 1979 until 1995 when the allegations were made against him.

Despite being cleared by a police investigation, the English teacher was barred when the council, and then the Department of Education, demanded another inquiry, which was held in July 1997.

It again found "no misconduct had been shown" but, in March 1999, David Blunkett, then Education Secretary, agreed to pleas from the council for a third inquiry.

Mr McNally sought a judicial review, which he finally won at the Court of Appeal in February 2001. But he was told he would remain suspended on full pay after further allegations were made.

Although they were also dismissed by police, another council inquiry was launched.

At the time of the appeal court ruling in 2001, McNally said: "Throughout these years I have felt a growing anger and frustration at not being able to do what I am good at - teaching.

He added: "These past years have been extremely stressful for me. It has been a time of uncertainty about the future living from day to day, week to week, unable to plan for anything other than in the short term.

"The cost to the council taxpayer in Bury, of whom I am one, must be incredible."

Last night, a spokesman for Bury Council said: "I can confirm that this matter has now been settled by mutual agreement and to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned as of December 31.

A SCHOOL teacher suspended on full pay for the past nine years has decided to quit -- leaving taxpayers to pay a bill running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Anthony McNally, aged 53, has left his £25,000-a-year post after agreeing a settlement with his local education authority.

Mr McNally was suspended from Woodhey High School, in Ramsbottom, in 1995, after a 15-year-old boy accused him of "inappropriate touching".

The teacher was then put through a seven year ordeal which saw several inquiries launched into the allegations, which were never proven.

Yesterday it emerged Labour-run Bury Council, which has been paying the bill, has allowed McNally to leave by mutual agreement.

The massive bill he leaves is made up of his salary, legal fees, plus wages paid to teachers who took over his duties. Some estimates have put the final costs at more than £1 million.

Last night Dorothy Gunther, Conservative councillor for Ramsbottom, where McNally taught, said: "I think it is absolutely appalling. The whole process has been ridiculous and this has poured good money down the drain."

"But the legal system is just a joke. All the money spent on this has been taxpayers' money and it's such a tragic waste."

David Higgins, Conservative councillor for Tottington where McNally lives, said: "This has been a ridiculous situation and a ridiculous amount of money has been spent on it."

Mr McNally, who lives in Tottington, was a teacher of English at Woodhey High School from 1979 until 1995 when the allegations were made against him.

Despite being cleared by a police investigation, the English teacher was barred when the council, and then the Department of Education, demanded another inquiry, which was held in July 1997.

It again found "no misconduct had been shown" but, in March 1999, David Blunkett, then Education Secretary, agreed to pleas from the council for a third inquiry.

Mr McNally sought a judicial review, which he finally won at the Court of Appeal in February 2001. But he was told he would remain suspended on full pay after further allegations were made.

Although they were also dismissed by police, another council inquiry was launched.

At the time of the appeal court ruling in 2001, McNally said: "Throughout these years I have felt a growing anger and frustration at not being able to do what I am good at - teaching.

He added: "These past years have been extremely stressful for me. It has been a time of uncertainty about the future living from day to day, week to week, unable to plan for anything other than in the short term.

"The cost to the council taxpayer in Bury, of whom I am one, must be incredible."

Last night, a spokesman for Bury Council said: "I can confirm that this matter has now been settled by mutual agreement and to the satisfaction of all the parties concerned as of December 31.