Darryl Gee was jailed for eight years in 2001 over allegations made by a young woman he taught in 1989.

He has now been acquitted by the Court of Appeal after a review, but died in prison from blood cancer in 2002.

Teachers' union leader Chris Keates said the case was "an extreme and tragic illustration of the consequences of malicious allegations".

Mr Gee, from Huddersfield, was not a member of her union, the NASUWT.

But Ms Keates said its campaign on false allegations had resulted in the government amending the procedures to speed up the investigation of allegations.

"False allegations can completely devastate the lives and careers of teachers. Their health can suffer," she said.

'Angry'

Mr Gee's mother Molly, 88, contacted the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

A psychiatrist's report it commissioned cast doubt on the mental state of her son's accuser, now aged 26.

Mrs Gee told the Times Educational Supplement: "It all boiled down to one girl's word against his, and the jury believed her.

"That's all it took to send my son to prison and it has left me very angry and grief stricken."

She added: "I don't think anyone should have to work alone with a child - it is just too easy for an allegation like this to be made."

Last November the government published revised guidelines saying teachers in England accused of abusing children should not automatically be suspended.

Their cases must be dealt with speedily and accused staff should enjoy anonymity while investigations continued.