Reform UK has demanded an investigation after teachers at a group of leading state schools made ‘inappropriate and slanderous’ comparisons between the party and the Nazis.
Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, complained after discovering that staff at the Orion group, which runs eight academy schools in south London, used a picture of him in teaching materials to illustrate ‘extremism’ – defined as activities which ‘reject British Values’.
The materials also placed Reform to the right of Ukip and next to the BNP and the Nazis at the ‘fascism’ end of an illustration on the Left-wing/Right-wing political spectrum of beliefs.
The secondary school lessons were for pupils in Year 10.
Nigel Farage’s party, which enjoys a commanding lead in the opinion polls, has received increasing reports of left-wing teachers characterising Reform supporters as ‘fascists’ in classrooms across the country.
Mr Tice, who was alerted to the slide shows by parents of pupils at the school, has written to Simon Garrill, the Chief Executive Officer of Orion Education, to warn that if he does not receive ‘an adequate explanation and satisfactory apology’ he will refer the matter to the Charity Commission, whose rules apply to academy trusts.
Mr Tice wrote: ‘It has come to my attention that materials referencing “extremism” and “far Right” have included my face and even compared me and Reform UK to the Nazi Party and British National Party.
‘This is not only factually inaccurate and grossly offensive but also defamatory in nature.’
Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, complained after discovering that staff at the Orion group, which runs eight academy schools in south London, used a picture of him in teaching materials to illustrate ‘extremism’
Mr Tice has written to Simon Garrill, the Chief Executive Officer of Orion Education, to warn that if he does not receive ‘an adequate explanation and satisfactory apology’ he will refer the matter to the Charity Commission, whose rules apply to academy trusts
The materials also placed Reform to the right of Ukip and next to the BNP and the Nazis at the ‘fascism’ end of an illustration on the Left-wing/Right-wing political spectrum of beliefs
He added: ‘These materials are, in my view and that of my legal team, in breach of education guidelines and of your obligations as a registered charity to maintain political neutrality and balance.
‘To present such inflammatory and misleading content to young people is a serious failing in duty and professional responsibility.’
The ‘extremism’ section – next to the picture of Mr Tice – defines it as ‘activities that reject British Values like mutual respect, are fully intolerant toward others, reject democracy as a means of governance or reject the existing social order’.
Next to this, it describes Reform UK as ‘a Right-wing political party who are rising in popularity, who want stricter immigration, deportation of illegal migrants, tax cuts, anti-EU regulations, UK sovereignty and traditional education policies’.
After saying ‘far-Right beliefs can damage communities, increase hate crime and even threaten democracy’, the lessons describe ‘the role of the media’ as ‘one of the main concerns’, stating: ‘Newspapers such as the Daily Mail and The Sun often publish dramatic headlines about immigration, especially about “small boat crossings” in the English Channel.
‘These stories sometimes use words like “flood” or “invasion”, making migrants sound like a threat.
‘This type of reporting can make people feel afraid or angry, which far-Right groups then use to support their arguments.’
And under a section entitled ‘How can we stay safe online?’, it says: ‘Use trusted sites like the BBC, the Guardian… instead of sites like The Sun, random blogs or YouTube channels.’
The teaching materials also include ‘the opportunity to hear from our local Labour MP on his role with Parliament and policies’ – although it does go on to stress that it is ‘important to remember that Labour is just one political party with specific views’.
An Orion spokeswoman said: ‘We are in receipt of the letter from Mr Tice and are currently investigating the concerns he has raised.’
The Orion group is made up of five primary schools and three secondary schools.
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