A BNP activist who described some immigrants as “savage animals” on an internet forum was today allowed to remain on the teaching register after being cleared of racial intolerance.
A General Teaching Council (GTC) panel said it was “troubled” by some of the comments of Adam Walker, who said Britain was becoming a “dumping ground for the filth of the Third World”.
But the three-member committee said it was not satisfied the “intemperate” views expressed by Mr Walker while he worked at a school near Sunderland were suggestive of intolerance.
The technology teacher, from Spennymoor, Co Durham, admitted making the posts while using a school laptop at Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton-le-Spring in early 2007.
It was alleged the remarks were suggestive of racial and religious intolerance, but the GTC panel said it did not accept references to immigrants were of themselves suggestive of any particular views on race. The panel did rule that part of the allegation against Mr Walker – that he made personal use of a school laptop during lessons – constituted unacceptable professional conduct.
Delivering the committee’s verdict, chairwoman Angela Stones said some of Mr Walker’s postings contained offensive terms and demonstrated views or an attitude that might be considered racist.
She said: “For the GTC to prove its case in relation to the committee has to be satisfied that contributions made by Walker demonstrated views suggestive of racial intolerance. The committee’s view is that, to be suggestive of intolerance, the postings would need to deny or refuse to others the right to dissent.” The committee imposed a conditional registration order on Mr Walker for his misuse of the school laptop. This means Mr Walker will remain on the teaching register. The order requires him to notify any prospective employer of its terms.
The decision caused widespread anger outside the GTC’s offices in Birmingham, where Mr Walker and party leader Nick Griffin were pelted with eggs by anti-fascists.
In a statement read to the hearing, Mr Walker had said: “My comments relate to those I perceive as coming to our country and committing criminal offences or otherwise behaving badly.” – (PA)