Case adjourned for BNP teacher

The Northern Echo | Tuesday, 10 February 2009 | Click here for original article

A MISCONDUCT case against a teacher accused of expressing religious intolerance on the internet was adjourned today.

Technology teacher Adam Walker from Spennymoor, County Durham, a member of the British National Party, is alleged to have demonstrated views suggestive of racial and religious intolerance while using a school laptop.

Adam Walker arrives at the General Teaching Council hearing in Birmingham

The allegation, brought against Mr Walker by the General Teaching Council (GTC), states that he engaged in unacceptable professional conduct while employed at Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland, between February and March 2007.

A GTC panel sitting in central Birmingham today rejected an application for it to stay the proceedings against the ex-soldier because he was not represented by a lawyer.

Patrick Harrington, Mr Walker's trade union representative, told the panel his client had found it difficult to find sustained employment, partly because of the proceedings against him, and had not been granted legal aid.

Mr Harrington told the hearing: "It simply cannot be right that Mr Walker, in this very complex case, has to rely on a trade union official to give him advice and put forward arguments."

Urging the GTC to refer the matter to the European Court of Justice, Mr Harrington added: "Whilst the presenting officer is a barrister of long-standing and long experience, we feel there is an inequality of arms which endangers Mr Walker's right to a fair procedure and a fair hearing."

GTC presenting officer Bradley Albuery, who pointed out that he is a solicitor rather than a barrister, said the fact that Mr Walker had not been granted legal aid to appoint a lawyer did not constitute a breach of his rights.

Rejecting Mr Walker's application for the case to be stayed, panel chair Angela Stones said it was not necessary for the matter to be considered by the European Court of Justice.

Mr Walker now intends to examine whether he is able to seek a judicial review of the panel's decision.

Further preliminary arguments will be held on April 29 unless an application for judicial review is made before April 22.