Call to Ban BNP Members from Teaching Profession

By Tim Ross, PA Education Correspondent | Wednesday, 18 May 2005 Source: The Scotsman

A teachers' union today demanded new laws to stop members of the far right British National Party working in schools.

The NASUWT union said no teacher should be allowed to hold membership of the BNP, the National Front or neo-Nazi group Combat 18.

The Government described the idea as "an interesting proposal" which officials plan to discuss further.

Chris Keates, NASUWT general secretary, said police and prison service staff were banned from being members of such extremist groups – and the same should apply to teachers.

"Those who support racist and fascist agendas have no place in the teaching profession," she said.

"There is growing evidence that members of the BNP and other similar organisations are using membership of trade unions and public sector professions to provide a cloak of respectability for their activities.

"The time is right for the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to act with regard to teachers' terms and conditions.

"I have written to the Secretary of State Ruth Kelly to ask for her support in introducing the necessary amendments," she said.

A spokeswoman for the DfES said there was "no place" for racism and intolerance in schools.

"This is an interesting proposal which we will discuss further with NASUWT and the rest of the teaching profession.

"There are safeguards in law to guard against politically partisan activities or teaching in schools and we have confidence in teachers' professionalism in ensuring impartiality.

"Schools are subject to the Race Relations Act and must have equal opportunities policies in place.

"They also have the power to discipline teachers acting outside the ethos and values of the school."