Council which lost court battle with dad over term time holiday fine is to appeal case to the Supreme Court
Jon Platt's refusal to pay fines for taking his daughter on holiday may go all the way to the country's highest court of appeal
A local council will continue its court battle against a father who refused to pay a fine for taking his daughter to Disneyland during term time.
Last month Jon Platt won an influential High Court victory after refusing to pay two fines he was issued under the government's controversial student absence laws.
The 44-year-old had refused to pay the £120 infringement he was slapped with in April last year for taking his seven-year-old daughter on an eight-day jolly to Florida.
He was given a second penalty for taking her to Lapland at Christmas and when he again refused to pay up the case went to court.
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Jon paid nearly £15,000 in legal fees to fight the decision after arguing his daughter’s attendance record was otherwise excellent.
To the irritation of education chiefs, he declared the High Court ruling last month a 'victory for parents', while it raised the possibility for other parents to follow in his footsteps.
However, Isle of Wight Council has indicated it will request permission to appeal the decision at the Supreme Court.
The Department for Education said it would support the appeal, adding the law needed "clarification".
Last month Jon said: 'It's parents who should decide what’s best for their children. Unfortunately there’s far too many people in positions of power who think they know better.
"It has been hideous. Nobody wants to find themselves in this position. I had no choice of being here.
"If I had my choice I would be in beautiful Isle of Wight enjoying the sunshine with my children."