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Teacher suspended over BNP candidacy

Alex Thompson
Wednesday 28 April 2004 19:00 EDT
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A teacher who plans to stand as a BNP candidate in the forthcoming European elections has been suspended from his post.

A teacher who plans to stand as a BNP candidate in the forthcoming European elections has been suspended from his post.

The action was taken against Simon Smith, a maths teacher at St Peter's RC School in Solihull, West Midlands, after he was chosen as the BNP's second candidate for the West Midlands constituency. Kevin Crompton, corporate director for education and children's services at Solihull Council, said: "The council is fully supportive of the actions of St Peter's RC School and the support from the Birmingham Diocesan Schools Commission in the suspension of a teacher, Simon Smith, pending further inquiries.

"It has become clear that, whatever the circumstances, the disruption to pupils' education has become far too great, especially at this time of year when many are preparing for exams.

Simon Darby, BNP regional organiser for the West Midlands, said: "What has he done wrong? Have we reached a stage now where if you hold political opinions to the right of the Tory party or contrary to those of the Labour Party you cannot be a teacher?

"We are dealing with Solihull, not the Soviet Union."

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