The Children's Commissioner in the North has condemned a group of 25 teachers who are taking strike action in Co Down following an assault by a pupil.

The teachers at Movilla High School went on strike last week after having their pay docked when they refused to teach the pupil in question.

Talks on the matter have failed to find a resolution and Children's Commissioner Patricia Lewsley is now accusing the strikers of using innocent children as bargaining chips.

She says she is aware of the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault and believes it was only a minor episode that is being blown out of proportion for the sake of publicity.

Ms Lewsley says the resulting industrial action is "tantamount to the corporate abuse of children's rights".