AUTHORITIES knew the former head teacher of a Newport primary school was allegedly abusing pupils – but let him stay in his position, a former senior staff member claimed.

Yesterday, we published an interview with a 52-year-old Newport man who claimed former Malpas Church in Wales School head Jon Styler would take him into his office for private reading sessions and molest him during the 1970s.

Mr Styler, who lived alone on Queen’s Hill Crescent in Newport, committed suicide in 2007 while on police bail over similar allegations.

Collingbourne Hennah Law solicitors, representing the alleged victim, say they have been contacted by other former pupils about abuse at the school since yesterday.

Today we can reveal that authorities, including the church, governors, unions and the former Gwent County Council allegedly knew about the concerns.

In a witness statement seen by the Argus, a former senior staff member at the school said he initially took his concerns to a church leader, as it was a religious school.

“He was not at all taken aback by my comments and indeed confirmed to me that he was not surprised,” he said.

He said nothing happened despite assurances the matter would be taken forward.

He said he also approached school governors and a union representative, but claims he was warned the complaint could come across as a personal vendetta and was told “the enormity of the complaint (meant) I needed 200 per cent proof,” he said.

After the former senior staff member spoke to Gwent council, he says Mr Styler was called in for a meeting.

He said: “The limited feedback I received was to the effect that Mr Styler was questioned as to whether he was homosexual. I understand Mr Styler confirmed he was not.

“I recall that it was very unpleasant to work with him having raised the concerns.”

He ended his statement saying: “It is a great disappointment to me that despite my best endeavours I was unable to prevent the problems that the claimant (says he) has endured as a result.”

After Mr Styler knew of the concerns, the former senior staff member claims blinds were put up “to ensure that he and the boys remained out of sight when in the study”.

“Also, a light was placed by the entrance door. When the light was red it meant Mr Styler should not be disturbed,” he said.

“I would disregard this and enter the study without notice where I would continue to witness Mr Styler reading with the children while they were sitting between his legs.”

He said that after his meeting with the education authority, Mr Styler “continued to take a very dictatorial and spiteful stance with members of staff”.

His suspicions were initially raised when Mr Styler would go into classrooms while lessons were in progress and pick out pupils to read to him in his study – but “only what I would call attractive young boys”.

He also claims that Mr Styler arranged school trips, but never with female pupils as far as he was aware.