Eton College sacked a popular English teacher after he refused to take down his YouTube video titled ‘The Patriarchy Paradox’ in which he questioned “radical feminist orthodoxy”, The Guardian reported.

In the 30-minute online lecture, Will Knowland, a popular English teacher in the school, argued that patriarchy results from biological differences rather than social constructs and that the system benefits women.

During the course of the lecture , Knowland also argued that men and masculinity have been indispensable to the progress of human civilization and that the two sexes differ at fundamental psychological and biological levels.

The video was uploaded on the school intranet and shared with fellow teachers, one of whom complained. While the video was subsequently removed from the intranet page, it continued to be available in YouTube page of Knowland.

Following the complaint , the school sought legal advice. Based on legal advise that the lecture was found to be not only in breach of equality legislation, but also in contravention of a number legal and regulatory responsibilities of the school.

The school requested Knowland to remove the video pending further discussion, but despite multiple requests he refused to do it. He was then dismissed.

A petition protesting against Knowland’s dismissal has gathered more than 2,000 signatures, and a fighting fund has raised almost £55,000 to take the case to an employment tribunal if he loses his appeal next Tuesday.

Dr Luke Martin, a theology master at the school, resigned from his post in protest against the dismissal.

Several students and parents are said to be unhappy at the manner of Knowland’s dismissal.

One of Britain’s most elite institution, Eton, since its founding in 1440, has produced 20 prime ministers. The school charges annual fees of £42,500.