Across the UK, online, on DAB and on your smart speaker, the Independent Republic of Mike Graham on Talk Radio.

Good morning and welcome to the Independent Republic of Mike Graham right here on Talk Radio.

Welcome to the final Friday of March.

Yes, that's right.

As we edge ever closer to the Easter holidays and the opening of the economy and the pubs, by the way,

in just a couple of weeks' time, we've got loads to talk about this morning,

and we've got loads of great guests with which to do so.

First up, we'll be tapping the big story of the day, the case of a teacher who has been suspended for daring to upset the Muslim community

by showing a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad in class.

I've got so many problems with this particular story.

It's difficult to know exactly where to begin, but let me say this, okay?

Any religion that forces a man and his family to go into hiding

for fear of his life just because of something he said can only be described as totally and

utterly intolerant. And any religion that seeks to bar anyone from upsetting it or causing offence

to its followers must be some kind of undemocratic cult. There, I've said it. Just exactly who do these people think they are.

They're outside the school again this morning demonstrating. He's already gone into hiding.

He's already been suspended. What exactly are you doing out there protesting against something

that you think is offensive when nobody else does? There's no special cases here. I don't think there

should be. We'll be talking to Ben Habib first up. He's got lots to say about the Northern Ireland

protocol, the EU's vaccine disaster, and we'll ask him about the Batley school problem as well.

0344491,000. Coming up, Sir John Redwood joins us following the voting through last night of the

extension of coronavirus

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