Laurence Fox defies local Labour council's ban to speak out in defence of teacher caught in Prophet Muhammad row ahead of Batley and Spen by-election
- Laurence Fox, 43, addressed a rally outside Batley Town Hall in West Yorkshire
- Actor said education policy cannot be 'dictated by bullying and death threats'
- Kirklees Council earlier told Mr Fox the free-speech event could not take place
- Teacher who showed cartoon of Prophet Muhammad to pupils remains in hiding
Laurence Fox has defied a local Labour council's ban to speak out in defence of a teacher caught in the Prophet Muhammad row ahead of the Batley and Spen by-election on July 1.
The Reclaim Party leader, 43, said education policy cannot be 'dictated by intimidation, bullying and death threats' while addressing a rally outside Batley Town Hall in Kirklees, West Yorkshire, yesterday.
Kirklees Council earlier told Mr Fox the free-speech event could not take place due to public safety issues and potential disruption, adding that organisers had not attempted to secure permission to use the area.
The actor's comments follow a teacher who was suspended after showing a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to pupils during an RE lesson refusing to return to work over fears for his life - despite being cleared of causing deliberate offence and told that he could have his job back.
Laurence Fox, 43, said education policy cannot be 'dictated by intimidation, bullying and death threats' while addressing a rally outside Batley Town Hall in West Yorkshire yesterday
The rally went ahead without interference from the council with some police officers observing from the sidelines, reported Yorkshire Live.
Mr Fox said: 'We can't have education policy dictated by intimidation, bullying and death threats.
'Freedom of speech doesn't mean that we condone the opinions of those we disagree with. I stand with the teacher.'
The Batley Grammar School teacher remains in hiding with his family and has permanently left the housing association property they shared near the town.
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They have been rehoused at a secret location with not even close relatives being informed about where it is.
Two other members of staff who were also suspended by officials at the school have refused to return to the classroom after being reinstated, citing similar concerns that they could be attacked.
It has resulted in the entire RE department, which was made up of the three teachers, being replaced by supply staff.
Referring to the local council's efforts to prevent the rally from taking place, Mr Fox added: 'Trying to ban a meeting on free speech, peak Kirklees Council don't you think?'
George Galloway (pictured next to Mr Fox) attended the rally and also spoke to condemn the treatment of the Batley Grammar School teacher
A crowd pictured at the rally outside Batley Town Hall yesterday. Following the loss of the former stronghold seat of Hartlepool, concerns have grown over Labour's prospects in the Batley and Spen by-election, which was Jo Cox's seat
Mr Fox said: 'Freedom of speech doesn't mean that we condone the opinions of those we disagree with. I stand with the teacher'
The council earlier said that it 'welcomes healthy debate and respects freedom of speech', but 'has a responsibility to make sure all events [that it permits on council-owned land] are safe, well organised and take into account potential disruption'.
A spokesman added: 'In this case, the event organisers have not requested permission for the use of the council's land.
'In the absence of assurances on public safety and legal compliance with Covid requirements or the impact on residents and businesses, council staff had no choice but to notify the organiser that they did not have permission to use the council's assets.'
Invitations had been extended to candidates Kim Leadbeater (Labour), Ryan Stephenson (Conservative) and George Galloway.
Of the three, Mr Galloway attended and also spoke to condemn the treatment of the teacher.
The actor's comments follow a teacher who was suspended after showing a cartoon of the Prophet Muhammad to pupils during an RE lesson refusing to return to work over fears for his life. Pictured: Protesters outside the school in March
The teacher's family has been rehoused at a secret location with not even close relatives being informed about where it is. Pictured: Protests outside Batley Grammar School in March
The teacher remains in hiding with his family and has permanently left the housing association property they shared near Batley. Pictured: Batley Grammar School
In a statement, Labour candidate Ms Leadbeater, who was not present, said the 'right to free speech comes with responsibilities'.
Following the loss of the former stronghold seat of Hartlepool, concerns have grown over Labour's prospects in the Batley and Spen by-election, which was Jo Cox's seat.
A new poll put the murdered MP's sister, Ms Leadbeater, on course to lose the heartlands constituency in Yorkshire to the Conservatives.
The Tories were on 47 per cent - up 11 per cent from the 2019 general election - while Labour was on 43 per cent, according to Survation's phone poll of adults earlier this month.
Scrutiny of Sir Keir Starmer's leadership will intensify if he loses Batley and Spen, having overseen the crushing defeat to the Tories in the former heartland town of Hartlepool last month.
The Batley and Spen by-election was triggered after Tracy Brabin, who won the seat for Labour in 2019 with a 3,525 majority over the Conservatives, was elected as the mayor of West Yorkshire in May.
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