Shildon schoolteacher sacked on health grounds

| Friday, 17 October 2008 Source: Journal Live (Newcastle upon Tyne)

A Shildon schoolteacher and member of the far right British National Party has been sacked.

Technology teacher Mark Walker, 37, was suspended from Sunnydale Community College, in Shildon, County Durham, over a year ago pending an internal inquiry.

And it emerged yesterday that the school’s board of governors had terminated Mr Walker’s contract on the basis of ill health.

He has been given leave to appeal against the decision.

Supporters of the former RAF weapons technician, from Spennymoor, County Durham, claim the action against him was politically motivated.

They said he was accused of accessing the party’s website during school time and described the proceedings as a witch hunt.

Patrick Harrington, general secretary of Solidarity, an independent trade union closely associated with the party, said: “No one should be victimised because of their political views. To sack him for ill health is despicable, since his health only deteriorated because of the pressures of the disciplinary and sickness process. I am not a doctor, but I would say that Mark is suffering from stress, depression and anxiety.”

A Durham County Council spokeswoman, said: “The governing body at Sunnydale Community College followed its sickness absence policies correctly and made a determination that a member of staff’s employment should cease because of their continuing health problems.”

Mr Harrington confirmed that the union plans to appeal against Mr Walker’s dismissal.

Mark Walker’s brother, Adam, is due to appear before England’s General Teaching Council in Birmingham next month and faces being struck off the teaching register.

He left his job at Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton-le- Spring, Wearside, last year after using a school computer to join an online discussion forum about the party.

Both men stood unsuccessfully for the party in Durham County elections.