The NEU Executive has made clear that the teachers and support staff at Bristol Brunel Academy have the full support of the Union.
The reason why the invitation for Damien Egan MP to visit Bristol Brunel Academy was postponed by the school last September was not, as the press widely misreported, because he was Jewish. That would be abhorrent and entirely wrong.
In September 2025, when the visit was proposed to take place, the Israeli assault upon Gaza was at its height. At the time 76 per cent of school buildings in Gaza had been directly hit, and many more damaged. At least 20,000 children had been killed and this figure continued to rise. Damien Egan MP is Vice Chair of Labour Friends of Israel and voted against a ceasefire in Parliament.
Teachers and support staff when raising legitimate concerns about outside speakers coming into their schools should be able to do so without fear of reprisals. The school chose to postpone the visit because of a planned protest by members of the community outside.
The NEU will defend our members against any politically motivated attacks.