WITH THE contest to succeed Gordon Brown as the head of the Labour Party now in full swing, it is interesting to see who has been chosen by Labour&rsq...
As most readers will know Trade Unionist Adam Walker is facing charges before the General Teaching Council (GTC) for 'unprofessional conduct' i.e. the use of a school laptop in school time for personal purposes and for expressing views "suggestive" of racial and religious intolerance. This is due to alleged criticisms of some Muslims, and some asylum-seekers, between February and March 2007.
Although Mr Walker left his post in a Sports College near Sunderland in the North East of England in 2007 he has been pursued by the GTC since November 2008.
As a member of the Trade Union Solidarity he has been fully supported by his Union. Because of political controversy surrounding the case there have been a number of hearings resulting in a change in the panels Chairmanship, a police request for an adjournment and other complications. The case is now in its second year.
As a libertarian Union we do not question our members political views let alone vet them. Whilst Adam Walker is being charged with a 'political offence' i.e. expressing religious intolerance we are not in the business of deciding whether what he did or did not say, was acceptable or not. We are in the business though of protecting the rights of individuals whilst at work. Two of these are the right to freedom of expression, regardless whether we agree with those expressions or not, and the right to the privacy of ones opinions.
In Adams case he expressed views (outside of school) that some would support and others might not (he denies intolerance) but it should not be the business of schools or professional bodies to take 'sides'. The recent review of racism in schools has just concluded for example that there is no cause for concern over racism in schools and that therefore members of the BNP should not be banned.
HUMAN RIGHTS
His comments were also anonymous (on a little known forum) and it was only an investigation by Sunderland Council, presumably to make a political point, that Adam's identity was revealed. We believe it was unnecessary and an infringement of both Data Protection and his human rights to investigate and then publicly reveal his identity which serves no purpose other than to pursue a political agenda.
The latter points were made by Adam's Union Representative at the last hearing this month in an attempt to put an end to this torturous case, but sadly to no avail.
Thus the GTC will be hearing (probably for the last time) the case on May 24th, 25th and 26th. A demonstration has been called by the Civil Liberty campaigning group for these three days to point out that by sanctioning a teacher for expressing his political views outside of the classroom it opens up the door for all teachers to sanctioned too. Solidarity will be supporting the demonstration and is calling upon all its members to make an effort to attend on behalf of one of its own members.
COSTLY
This case however has been a very costly one, hours and hours of research, the cost of travelling to and from the numerous hearings, legal opinion etc. In order to give the Union a fighting chance of winning this case we need your financial help!
HELP US PROTECT OUR RIGHTS!
We need this help, Adam needs this help, now! Please put your money where your heart is and let's try and prevent the state from encroaching upon our fundamental right to express an opinion.
We will be posting regular updates on preparations for the demo and in raising funds over the coming weeks. There is also a web page promoting protests and a Facebook event page.
You can make donations to cover Adam's legal expenses here. or by sending a cheque to Solidarity to PO Box 93, Spennymoor, Durham DL16 9AN
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