A TEACHER struck off for a string of foul-mouthed comments to pupils has claimed he is a victim of political correctness.

Michael Rankin, a former technology teacher at Ardrossan Academy in North Ayrshire, told one pupil "I've sh****d your mum", used several expletives, suggested one child was a w****r, and called another "Shrek".

He has been banned from the classroom following a disciplinary hearing held by the General Teaching Council for Scotland, despite glowing tributes from former pupils who said his "informality" helped make him an "inspirational" teacher.

Mr Rankin, whose previous jobs included working in the Australian prison service and as a taxi driver, claimed he was a victim of "political correctness gone too far" but the GTCS said his behaviour had been "wholly inappropriate" and "unacceptable".

Mr Rankin said: "To be honest this has been a really difficult two years. It has been embarrassing to myself and my family.

"I was expecting this outcome and feel like the decision was made a long time ago to remove me from the register.

"It's political correctness gone too far. I don't want to make any further comment on the result - the letters from my ex pupils say it all."

He added: "I am no longer wanting to pursue a teaching career."

The teacher faced 19 charges in front of the GTCS, covering the period August 2012 to June 2013, all of which were found proved and involved pupils aged 13 or 14.

He told a pupil: "Every time I sh** your mum she makes me a sandwich, that's why I'm fat."

Mr Rankin said to another student: "I need my glasses, I can't see because of too much w****** - is that why you wear glasses?"

And watching a scene in the film Bend It Like Beckham, where a car can be seen rocking, he was charged with telling a pupil: "That's me and your mum in the back."

He used the f-word at least six times, called a pupil a "fat c***", and sprinkled the words "arsehole" and "bastard" in lessons. Pupils were also dubbed "dafty", "mongo", and "fatty".

Despite the evidence, seven ex-students leapt to his defence by writing statements which were read out at the hearing.

One pupil described him as an "encouraging and reassuring teacher" who would "go out of his way to help pupils in need".

Another said: "He was an effective and inspirational teacher. There was a degree of informality in his class which was why we engaged with him the most."

David Smith, 23, said future generations had been "robbed" of his teaching methods.

He said: "He was my tech and product design teacher. I'm not saying he didn't use the odd swear word, because he did. But he never, ever crossed that line with us. He was never derogatory, it was always in jest - playful humour.

"I'm not saying his more recent comments are acceptable but he had a different style of teaching and it worked.

"I definitely owe my success as an electrical contracts manager to him. He has changed a lot of people's life in a positive way."

Mr Rankin, who used to play football for Dumbarton, decided not to attend the hearing to face the allegations.

A statement read out on his behalf stated: "Whilst there was a degree of informality in my classes, I always stuck to boundaries. I believe I had a good relationship with my class."

However giving evidence, deputy headteacher Alison Crawford said: "I was shocked when I heard what the students told me. He swore and made insulting comments at pupils - behaviour which I believe is absolutely not appropriate.

"His comments were unacceptable and would do nothing to raise the level of attainment and achievement in children."

Presenting officer Gillian Sim said: "The language used in the classroom was inappropriate, high derogatory and sexualised, and Mr Rankin completely disregarded expectations to maintain a professional distance from students.

"His comments were simply not appropriate for a person in a position of trust and who should have been a role model for students."