MP's school visit cancelled over pro-Palestinian protests

A visit by a Jewish MP to a school in their constituency was cancelled, after concerns were raised by local pro-Palestinian campaigners.

Palestine Solidarity Bristol said it had opposed the visit by Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, due to his support for Israel.

The cancellation took place in September but was highlighted by Communities Secretary Steve Reed during a speech to the Jewish Labour Movement at the weekend.

Reed did not name Egan but told the audience: "I have a colleague who is Jewish, who has been banned from visiting a school and refused permission to visit a school in his own constituency, in case his presence inflames the teachers.

"That is an absolute outrage... and they will be called in, and they will be held to account for doing that, because you cannot have people with those kinds of attitudes teaching our children.

"You just can't have it."

Egan confirmed the event had been cancelled but declined to comment further.

In a statement a spokesperson for the school, the Bristol Brunel Academy, said: "Damien Egan MP – as a high-achieving alumnus of the CLF [Cabot Learning Federation], and in common with other local MPs from across the political spectrum – was invited in September to visit Bristol Brunel Academy, a secondary school situated in his constituency of Bristol North East.

"Mr Egan was due to discuss democracy and the role of an MP, while helping to raise aspirations among students who may have an interest in pursuing similar career paths.

"On the evening before Mr Egan's scheduled visit, we were made aware of plans for a public protest outside the school.

"As this protest was scheduled to coincide with the end in the school day, we opted to postpone Mr Egan's visit to ensure everyone would continue to feel safe when entering and exiting school and to prevent any disruption to our students' learning.

"We have remained in contact with Mr Egan, and an alternative date for his visit was arranged some time ago. We have also been in contact with the police and followed their advice."

On 5 September, when the event had been due to go ahead, the Palestine Solidarity Bristol group published a social media post celebrating the cancellation.

It said the event had been axed after "concerns were raised by the National Education Union trade union staff group, parents and local constituents".

It said the cancellation was "a clear message" that politicians who support Israel's actions in Gaza "are not welcome in our schools".

A National Education Union spokesperson said its head office had "no knowledge that the school had rescinded the invite to the local MP" until this was reported in the media on Monday.

"It is good that MPs, especially those in the party of government, seek to engage with schools, especially on issues such as the dire state of school funding, the intensity of teaching and the impact of social media on young people," they said.

"It is also legitimate for constituents to express their views to MPs on national and international issues, including the extraordinary human suffering in Gaza.

"The NEU believes in democratic engagement. Central to that is dialogue and discussion, and sometimes this will include a robust exchange of views."

The spokesperson added that the union was "an organisation rooted in anti-racism in all forms, including antisemitism".