The youth was one of two boys expelled following claims of misbehaviour with girls on a school trip, The Royal Gazette has been told.

The father is suing the trustees of the grammar school. His son is also named in the legal action.

It is believed he wants his son allowed back in school.

Last night, both the father and headmaster Mr. Keith McPhee declined to comment.

But another Saltus parent said the boy was one of two, both around 15, who were expelled following last month's sporting tour of England.

"I'm delighted to hear that the father has taken the matter further, because I think that many parents at Saltus are concerned that the boys who were expelled may not have had a fair hearing and that the girls were possibly as much to blame, although nothing has happened to the girls.

"The boys had been in the school for many, many years and were extremely popular and a credit to the school, especially with their athletic ability.'' It is believed four boys were sent back to the Island from the tour, after an incident involving two girls also from the school.

One allegation was that the boys were caught in girls' bedrooms. Teachers have been tight-lipped over the controversy. Asked about the alleged incident soon after the tour, Mr. McPhee said: "It is an internal matter that has been satisfactorily dealt with.

"Yes, we did have a problem. But it has been properly resolved.'' The tour was hailed by the Pembroke school as a resounding success. It involved more than 40 youngsters competing in soccer, volleyball, basketball, hockey, rugby and netball. Their record was 14 wins, two draws and 15 losses.