BNP activist banned from teaching after sending pupil sexually explicit message (From The Northern Echo)
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General Teaching Council ban former Shildon teacher from classroom
8:30am Wednesday 2nd November 2011 in News By Chris Fay, Reporter (Sedgefield)
Mark Walker
A TEACHER and British National Party activist was yesterday banned from the classroom after using school computers to send a vulnerable 16-year-old former pupil a sexually explicit message.
The General Teaching Council found that Mark Walker sent the girl emails while working at Sunnydale Community College, in Shildon, County Durham, in 2007.
A Professional Conduct Committee heard that in one email, he used language understood to mean that he wanted to have sex with the girl.
The committee found that after Mr Walker was suspended from the school, he contacted colleagues about the disciplinary process, resulting in a demonstration taking place outside the school.
During the demonstration, his supporters said he was a good teacher who did not take politics into the classroom.
However, the committee found him guilty of unacceptable professional conduct and banned him from teaching.
“Mr Walker refers to ‘one suspect email’. However, the committee has noted that the language used in several of the emails was highly inappropriate.”
Committee chairman Wayne Jones
Mr Walker, who stood as BNP candidate for Sedgefield, County Durham, in the 2010 General Election, was suspended by the school in March 2007 and dismissed in December 2008.
Committee chairman Wayne Jones said: “We have heard evidence that the pupil concerned was particularly vulnerable as she had psychological problems and that staff had been made aware of this in April 2006.
“Mr Walker admits that he engaged in an email exchange with the pupil concerned and that this exchange was inappropriate.
“Mr Walker refers to ‘one suspect email’. However, the committee has noted that the language used in several of the emails was highly inappropriate.”
Mr Jones said the committee also took into consideration that Mr Walker had told the girl he hoped she was deleting the emails which, he said, confirmed that he knew what he was doing was wrong.
Mr Walker of Rievaulx, Spennymoor, told The Northern Echo that he accepted his behaviour was inappropriate, but felt that he was being persecuted because of his political beliefs.
He said there were cases of teachers behaving worse than him but staying in the profession, and that he never taught the girl or had any physical contact with her.
Mr Walker has 28 days to appeal to the High Court, which he said he was considering.
Comments are closed on this article.
Comments (82)
11:24am Wed 2 Nov 11
Mel Wilson says...
You filthy pig, should be ashamed
10:02pm Wed 2 Nov 11
Mike Hartman says...
@ Grasshopper: Will you opt for Rule 45 should you be jailed in the near future?
@ Kevin Scott: Entertaining comment on Mark Walker. Keep it up!
@ Mr Tinks: You're as damaged as the Walkers
10:01am Thu 3 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
lol - you've got to be well fick to think being a teacher using a school computer to proposition a 16yr old prior student is OK, right? ...but then, he also thinks the BNP is OK ;o)
10:42am Thu 3 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
1:35pm Thu 3 Nov 11
Adam Walker says...
1:44pm Thu 3 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
1:46pm Thu 3 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
2:22pm Thu 3 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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Legal or not, I see it as an abuse of his position of trust - I'm sure that you'd argue that you'd be happy for your 17yr old daughter to be sleeping with a 39yr old ex-teacher, right?
5:19pm Thu 3 Nov 11
Adam Walker says...
5:34pm Thu 3 Nov 11
Mike Hartman says...
http://lancasteruaf.
blogspot.com/2011/11
/mark-walker-gtce-fi
ndings-and-report.ht
ml
5:57pm Thu 3 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
*
I guess everyone else got it wrong, huh?
* http://www.thenorthe
rnecho.co.uk/news/50
40268.BNP_man_loses_
case_for_unfair_dism
issal/
6:54pm Thu 3 Nov 11
becx09 says...
6:54pm Thu 3 Nov 11
becx09 says...
7:09pm Thu 3 Nov 11
Traser1991 says...
Mr Walker - people do not send their children to school to be perved at by older males in authority! You are guilty of unprofessional behaviour - teachers should maintain a professional distance from their students at all times!
Thankfully higher standards are expected from teachers than those of 'sex mad squaddies!'
9:03pm Thu 3 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
9:08pm Thu 3 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
10:36am Fri 4 Nov 11
Pete Molloy says...
Did you notice the size of Mark's photo compaired to say, Raul Moat's when the echo produced it!
10:46am Fri 4 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
11:00am Fri 4 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
11:18am Fri 4 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
12:30pm Fri 4 Nov 11
David Lacey says...
1:16pm Fri 4 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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UKIP is like the acceptable face of the BNP - it's like what Sinn Féin is to the IRA. It's nothing to be proud of
3:43pm Fri 4 Nov 11
Gnasher1 says...
4:15pm Fri 4 Nov 11
Pete Molloy says...
If any anti-BNPers can provide me with the said email and prove me wrong, please do
4:23pm Fri 4 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
5:44pm Fri 4 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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Sinn Fein was regarded as the political wing of the IRA. The BNP and UKIP are two completely separate, independent political parties.
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I can see why those who view politics through red spectacles, such as yourself, try this nonsense on - par for the Labour course to attack everyone who doesn't agree - but a bit of honesty would be welcome in these debates.
5:52pm Fri 4 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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If Unison did call a meeting to try and get him sacked for his political beliefs, then that is wrong in my view. Is it not also the case that the council involved the NSPCC in this? How many times has the council done this to a public employee over the years? I wonder....once?
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Who knows, but I suspect his politics have played a large part in the authorities actions against him.
5:52pm Fri 4 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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Again, you're unable to grasp what’s being said and head off into taking things literally and splitting hairs ;o) …and it’s still not a debate, I’ve nothing that requires your attention, thanks. Now run along and play with the other chickens ;o)
6:21pm Fri 4 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
7:33pm Fri 4 Nov 11
DWilson says...
9:22pm Fri 4 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
9:52am Sat 5 Nov 11
Melanie Stephenson says...
The former pupil in now in her twenties. Strange that she made no allegations and remained silent. She could have made a fortune IF she received 'sexually explicit' emails. Where are these emails? Everything else has been uncovered except the emails.
Prime Minister David Cameron and Education Secretary, Michael Gove have both said BNP teachers WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. How convenient for them!
10:15am Sat 5 Nov 11
Blankface says...
11:12am Sat 5 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
12:03pm Sat 5 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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That's more like your usual standard mooochas; you just can't help the daftness can you sweetheart?
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By the way, Kinnock agreed and supported Thatcher all the way in the 80s. If you disagree, you're just 'splitting hairs'. lolly.
12:20pm Sat 5 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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There is often examples of standards committees recommending dismissal (e.g. police, health etc) which are then appealed and overturned. Who knows whether Mr Walker will appeal or not, or whether there are cases of teachers who have behaved worse but still allowed to remain in the profession, or whether this mistake of his should result in the end of his teaching career; we shall see.
12:46pm Sat 5 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
12:48pm Sat 5 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
12:48pm Sat 5 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
1:43pm Sat 5 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
3:41pm Sat 5 Nov 11
onlinereader says...
uk/regulation/discip
linary_orders/
Visit there at the end of the month and you'll all be able to see exactly why he has been banned from teaching.
3:57pm Sat 5 Nov 11
onlinereader says...
5:49pm Sat 5 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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I point out a Government or Tory short-coming and you think you can justify it by pointing out a similar Labour occurrence. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
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Lol - isn’t it amazing how two people can view the same thing yet have a completely different perspective? You think you’re engaging me in entertaining debate. I think you’re boring my tits off ;o)
8:17pm Sun 6 Nov 11
jordanc93 says...
1:02am Mon 7 Nov 11
funksoul201181 says...
10:49am Mon 7 Nov 11
BrianBarber86 says...
2:01pm Mon 7 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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You're wrong to tell me what I think. And I don't care what you think.
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I wonder what your response will be? Anyone would think this was a debate. Or a forum.
3:20pm Mon 7 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
5:45pm Mon 7 Nov 11
Melanie Stephenson says...
6:18pm Mon 7 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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Seriously though, your point is a fair one, as the line has to be drawn somewhere. But if no physical relationship occurred then I just question whether it is right that his career should be ended, given the age of the girl. It is right that disciplinary action should have been taken against him, but has his politics played a part in the severity of the sentence?
8:00pm Mon 7 Nov 11
BrianBarber86 says...
8:41pm Mon 7 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
9:11pm Mon 7 Nov 11
Melanie Stephenson says...
http://www.democracy
forum.co.uk/attachme
nts/bnp/3833d1320244
386-mark-walker-bann
ed-classroom-unison_
letter.jpg
9:32pm Mon 7 Nov 11
CTRILEY says...
This is true at the school I attended there was a drama teacher who was transferred to my after having a sexual relationship with a pupil. There was a female P.E. teacher who was caught on a number of occassions by pupils having sex with other teachers.
A female geography teacher used to date former pupils. A male English teacher transferred to a Darlington school after his interest in child photography was revealed. Whilst the ony teacher to be prosecuted for anything was a male woodwork teacher who was caught stealing money to fund his gambling.
11:50pm Mon 7 Nov 11
jordanc93 says...
12:38am Tue 8 Nov 11
funksoul201181 says...
7:55am Tue 8 Nov 11
Pete Molloy says...
Take Mark's brother, Adam for example, who had Judy Moorhouse removed from the panel of his hearing because of her known anti-BNP campaining.
9:38am Tue 8 Nov 11
Dean M says...
12:52pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Pete Molloy says...
1:30pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
.
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Lol – Dean’s still confused. Still failing to grasp the obvious. Still boring. Still way out of his depth ;o)
*
He’s like a small child in arm bands desperately clinging on ‘in the deep end’ surrounded by a tell-tale purple cloud whilst crying for his Mummy.
*
Dean’s reply will no doubt be more of the same “You’re wrong. I’ll have you know that I haven’t been swimming in years …and it’s always Daddy I want.” ;o)
1:45pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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There's an unusual amount of pro-BNP visitors to this local rag’s story and whilst they may have convinced a few weak-minded dullards, I'm still not buying it.
2:13pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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...and blind support in his futile efforts.
2:53pm Tue 8 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
5:14pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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;o) lolly ;o)
5:22pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Pete Winstanley says...
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Mark Walker was not sacked because of the emails, nor because he was a member of the BNP, but because of his sickness record. Following the NSPCC investigation, he was invited to a number of hearings to put his side of the story, but did not attend because he was ill – depressed or stressed. Eventually, having followed all the correct procedures, the school dismissed him because he had been off sick for too long.
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He then took his case to an Employment Tribunal. The presiding judge, Andrew Buchanan, said his illness was triggered by his own actions – “If he had not acted in the way that he did towards that former pupil, he would not have had reason to be stressed and anxious and he would not have become ill.” He said Mark’s “culpable and blameworthy conduct contributed to his dismissal to the extent of 100 per cent” and that “he was the author of his own unfortunate illness”.
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The GTC has now agreed with the NSPCC and the tribunal judge that the emails were “highly inappropriate,” and that “there is sufficient evidence from the emails and from previous matters concerning his professional conduct to conclude that Mr Walker’s behaviour has resulted in his conduct being less than one would expect of a teacher placed in a position of trust.”
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No-one, so far, has revealed the content of those emails except Mark’s erstwhile ally, Kevin Scott, former North East Organiser for the BNP, who now runs a website which he has ironically titled “Civil Liberty.” Great sense of humour for a fascist! This is what he wrote on the website:
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“Patrick Harrington and Civil Liberty director, Kevin Scott, agreed that Mark Walker should have his day in court in order to clear his name. As a result, Civil Liberty agreed to partially fund Mark Walker's case after he was dismissed from his teaching job for his sickness record in December 2008.
At the subsequent Employment Tribunal in Newcastle, the sexually explicit emails were read to the court and despite Pat Harrington's best efforts to expose the duplicity and connivance of the school authorities, trade unions and local council in Mark Walker's persecution, the case was lost. At the end of one of the emails, Mark Walker, a married man with a young daughter who appears on BNP publicity material as a contented family man, had written: "I love to f u c k!"
Later, Kevin Scott was asked by Patrick Harrington to give evidence on behalf of Mark Walker at a GTC hearing which would determine his future as a teacher. Kevin Scott declined.
Civil Liberty stands by its campaign to protect Mark Walker's right to free association and free speech, but withdrew its support once the Employment Tribunal was lost earlier this year.”
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I have always argued that Mark was innocent until proven guilty. He has now been comprehensively proven guilty. I have also argued that we do not need this sort of scandal to expose the BNP for what it is – a racist, neo-Nazi organisation.
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BNP supporters who try to defend Mark are doing him no favours. The suggestion that the school, the NSPCC, the GTC and the Employment Tribunal judge are all part of a politically- motivated “witch-hunt” is frankly ludicrous.
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I personally find Mark’s conduct revolting and creepy, and I am glad he can no longer teach. But, as he has always said, he has not broken the law. Should he not now be left to fade quietly into obscurity, and pick up the pieces of his life?
6:18pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
*
Just because you finally managed to avoid my ‘bare trap’ at the 50th time of asking, does not now qualify you as worthy. You still have much to learn and you remain devoid of objectivity. Now jog on and play with one of your ‘blue blinkered’ or new-found BNP buddies ;o)
10:00pm Tue 8 Nov 11
antihypocrisy says...
Peter Winstanly has, for me, summed it up exactly and, as my last comment, I would like to express my sympathy to this creeps wife and family.
10:35pm Tue 8 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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By the way, listen to your new girlfriend, this is not a 'debate' (or a forum) it's a comments section. Abuse may be on its way to you very soon.
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Mooochas. No...stop. Listen to Pete W, it's time to stop stalking and knock this one on the head.
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Go on then, reply. The same reply. Several times over. It's funny.
2:50am Wed 9 Nov 11
jordanc93 says...
2:50am Wed 9 Nov 11
jordanc93 says...
11:41am Wed 9 Nov 11
house fly says...
11:43am Wed 9 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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'those few' - you're such an idiot. You’re so arrogant that you assume everyone else is as gullible as you having fallen for the pathetic BNP mitigation.
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No, I'd venture that 'most of us' are still not buying it - not since the start. Why don't you try and pretend that you weren't a complete mug in the first place - your usual denial nonsense ;o)
11:55am Wed 9 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
12:15pm Wed 9 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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You click 'quote' and then refer to a sentence that isn't there. Clever.
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I see my 'You're one of those few...' comment went right over your head, sweetheart. And you start waffling on about 'most of us' blah, blah.
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Really, mooochas, you should read things properly, and you must try harder.
12:26pm Wed 9 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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But, I meant, I meant... of course you did. That's why you were kissing up to your BNP friends suggesting that Judy Moorhouse may have corrupted the jury and perverted the outcome of the hearing.
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'try harder'? you should try less - you're fooling nobody ;o)
1:47pm Wed 9 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
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Whatever. I'm done with this thread and with you ...again ;o)
*
Have fun talking to yourself ;o)
6:32pm Wed 9 Nov 11
Dean M says...
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You're still unable to read, 'cos there's no denial from me in my last comment. You make it up as you go along. 'The additional quoted drivel...' yeah, yeah, of course it was.
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You obviously still haven't 'got' my 'one of those few' comment, so you come out, as usual, with a load of other nonsense to try and cover yourself. It's only yourself you're fooling, daft girl.
7:58pm Wed 9 Nov 11
Pete Winstanley says...
8:36pm Wed 9 Nov 11
Drit Drit says...
11:07pm Thu 10 Nov 11
house fly says...
11:10pm Thu 10 Nov 11
house fly says...
2:31pm Mon 14 Nov 11
Mooochas says...
uk/regulation/discip
linary_orders/225592
/