I would have thought it easily understandable that for there to be a reaction there first of all needs to be an action. The action being the method, (particularly with older girls) and the high number of corporal punishments. The reaction was the suspension of the headmaster.
You have said this was due to contentious statements about a member of the governing body who was complaining about the beating of a boy. It was about corporal punishment, so I do not see how you can disassociate a comment from the fact. If two people are arguing about a fact, it is the fact that will be important, NOT the language used. If Mr Ing had the full support of his professional body, this was simply closing ranks. If he had been censured it would have led to a lot of other headmaster’s actions being in brought into question.