BNP members to be banned from teaching

Tuesday, 2 November 2010 10:43 AM

By Ian Dunt

Members of the BNP are set to be banned from teaching, after the education secretary decided to give heads the power to dismiss them.

The case follows that of a BNP activist who posted a description of immigrants as "filth" using a school laptop.

"I don't believe that membership of the BNP is compatible with being a teacher," Michael Gove told the Guardian.

"One of the things I plan to do is to allow headteachers and governing bodies the powers and confidence to be able to dismiss teachers engaging in extremist activity.

"I would extend that to membership of other groups which have an extremist tenor. I cannot see how membership of the British National party (BNP) can co-exist with shaping young minds."

BNP members are already banned from serving in the police force and the extension of the ban to teaching would suggest that the government considers membership incompatible with public service provision.

Anti-racism activists believe BNP members cannot be trusted in any public service provision because their views commit them to inequality.

Teaching unions welcomed the move, after being disappointed by the inactivity of the Labour party on the issue when it was in government.

That failure to ban BNP members arose from a decision by Maurice Smith, former chief inspector of schools, who said a ban would be disproportionate.

Tags:
• domestic policy
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• education
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• equality
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• race relations
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• schools