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date: 11 March 2010

embargo: 00:01hrs Friday 12 March 2010

No BNP ban for teachers is 'deeply disappointing'

The TUC has expressed deep disappointment at the recommendation of the Maurice Smith review not to recommend that BNP membership should be incompatible with being a teacher.

TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'This is deeply disappointing and I hope ministers will not close the door to this common-sense policy.

'The Race Relations Act (2000) places public services, and therefore public servants, under a duty to eliminate race discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity.

'We simply do not believe that it is possible for those who have joined a political party that promotes racism to protect young people from discrimination.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Liz Chinchen T: 020 7467 1248 M: 07778 158175 E: media@tuc.org.uk
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk
Elly Brenchley T: 020 7467 1337 M: 07900 910624 E: ebrenchley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (200 words) issued 12 Mar 2010