Porter quizzed over 'poisoning pupils' soup' at £27,000-a-year Stowe School

A private school porter has been arrested on suspicion of poisoning a carrot and coriander soup that was to be served to pupils.

The kitchen porter at Stowe School in Buckingham was immediately suspended after other staff became suspicious of a “chemical smell” coming from the food.

Police arrested the 58-year-old at his home near Brackley, Northamptonshire, last week but could not detain him because of health reasons.



Dr Anthony Wallersteiner, headmaster of the £27,000-a-year boarding school said: “I would like to reassure parents that no pupils or members of staff were affected in the incident.”

He said it is believed the product used to contaminate the soup was a “household cleaning product that would be used in any domestic kitchen”.

In response to rumours the employee may have had some form of grudge against the school, he said: “From the discussions I have had with the line managers of the catering department we do not know of any grievances or previous issues with this individual.”