innuendo'' over the suspension of a teacher amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

A spokesman for the board of trustees of the Whitney Institute said: "There are many rumours in circulation which are without foundation.

"There are no simple answers in matters of this kind, which involve the personal suffering of all parties -- suffering which can only be made worse by gossip and innuendo.'' The call came two weeks after it was revealed that a male teacher at the Whitney Institute had been suspended on full pay following a written complaint about him concerning a female pupil.

Since then, another girl, a former pupil at Whitney, has come forward with similar allegations about the same teacher.

The second girl claimed she has already made a statement to Police detailing her allegations.

The Whitney board of trustees statement said the board had given "unanimous backing'' to school principal Gail Graham to take the appropriate steps following the original complaint.

The board's spokesman added that the allegations are being investigated by the Department of Education, the Department of Social Services and Police.

He said: "The steps being taken are in accordance with General Orders for Teachers 1974 which require that such accusations should be made in writing and should be investigated.'' The Whitney statement said that the board was "appalled'' when they were told on December 10 last year that a complaint against the teacher was likely to be made.

A written complaint was submitted on December 12 and the board chairman and Mrs. Graham informed the teacher of the suspension the next day.

The Whitney spokesman said the suspended teacher is now on holiday in Brazil -- and added that he was expected to return.

It is understood the teacher, who has not been named, is in Rio De Janeiro.