BNP teacher calls for 'impartial panel' ahead of misconduct hearing

A teacher accused of religious and racial intolerance by the profession's standards watchdog today demanded the removal of a prominent union official from the panel considering his case.

BNP member Adam Walker (pictured) told demonstrators gathered outside the offices of the General Teaching Council (GTC) that he believed Judy Moorhouse, a former president of the National Union of Teachers, was biased against him.

Ms Moorhouse, a member of the NUT's executive committee and the chair of the GTC, is one of a three-strong panel scheduled to hear the case against Mr Walker.

The 39-year-old teacher, a former soldier, is alleged to have engaged in unacceptable professional conduct while employed at Houghton Kepier Sport College in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland.

The allegation against him states that, between February and March 2007 he used a school laptop during lessons and contributed to on-line discussions in which he demonstrated views suggestive of racial and religious intolerance.

The GTC panel formed to hear the case was today asked to consider whether Ms Moorhouse should be "recused" and step down from the proceedings.

Mr Walker's representative at the hearing, Patrick Harrington, submitted that human rights law entitled his client to receive an "independent and impartial" tribunal.

Mr Harrington, the general secretary of the Solidarity trade union, told the panel that Ms Moorhouse was a "known opponent" of the BNP who had made public statements concerning its policies.

"I believe that we have done enough to show that there is at least an appearance of bias and that any fair-minded observer would feel that there was a real possibility of bias," Mr Harrington said.

The GTC's presenting officer, Bradley Albuery, told the panel the Council had an absolute commitment to maintaining and ensuring confidence in the integrity of its hearings.

Mr Albuery added that the Council itself did not resist Mr Harrington's application for Ms Moorhouse to step down, but that the issue of possible recusal must be decided by the panel.

Standing outside the GTC's offices in central Birmingham after the case was adjourned for lunch, Mr Walker addressed BNP supporters through a loud-hailer.

"I am a good teacher," he told a crowd of around 50 people. "Anybody who has been taught by me will tell you that. I think it's absolutely disgusting that I am being hauled over the coals because of my political beliefs."

Anti-fascist campaigners also protested outside the hearing, calling for Mr Walker to be struck off.

Police, some wearing riot gear, were present to keep the groups apart, but no arrests were made.