14/02/2014

Banned Teacher Loses Legal Challenge Against Michael Gove

A teacher who claimed he was banned from teaching for life because he is a British National Party (BNP) activist has lost a legal challenge over the band.

44-year-old Adam Walker was given a suspended sentence for verbally abusing three boys and dangerous driving and was subsequently struck off the teaching register for life.

Walker, of Spennymoor, was initially given a two-year teaching ban by a National College for Teaching and Leadership (NCTL) conduct panel. It was found that in 2011 Walker had verbally abused the boys, aged between 10 and 12, before slashing the tyres on their bikes. Walker claimed to have been provoked by the boys, but admitted that he had "made a mistake".

The Department of Education subsequently increased his punishment to a lifetime teaching ban.

In the name if Education Secretary, Michael Gove, the department said that Walkers action had been "violent and threatening".

Mr Walker had gone to court of the decision arguing that Mr Gove was prejudiced by his politics.

However, a judge ruled that Mr Walker's argument was "lacking any credible evidential base at all."

(MH/CD)

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