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BNP's Bates to sit on young people's panel
BNP councillor Tom Bates looks set to become a member of the council committee responsible for schools and young people.
It follows the decision by Paul Rogan not to take up his seat. But replacing him with a politician from the far right has caused anger.
Sue McMahon, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, said: "There is no place in education for the BNP."
Mrs McMahon, a co-opted member of the scrutiny panel, said the party's views were at odds with everything the council stood for.
Halifax Labour MP Linda Riordan urged the council to put a block on Coun Bates's appointment. Calder-dale Council's rules for maintaining political balance on committees and panels mean any unallocated seats have to be filled by councillors who are sole representatives of a party.
Coun Bates, who was elected in Illingworth and Mixenden last year, is the only British National Party representative on the council.
Changes in committee places cannot be made until the next meeting on July 29.
Councillor Bates is married with two children, and lives at Beechwood Drive, Holmfield. He is a governor at Moorside Prim-ary School, Ovenden.
Among other things he has campaigned against Holy Trinity Senior School being turned into an academy and wants children to learn more about British history and culture.
The council's education spokesman Craig Whittaker (Con, Rastrick) said: "I don't think it is suitable to have the BNP in any arena but Tom Bates was democratically elected and has as much right as anyone to sit on the panel."
Panel chairwoman Megan Swift (Lab, Town) said: "I would prefer not to have a BNP councillor as a member but Coun Bates has been democractically elected and has certain legal rights."
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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