BNP teacher's case halted.

RIOT police were called to the disciplinary hearing of a teacher accused of accessing right-wing chat rooms during lessons.

Adam Walker, 39, a member of the British National Party, is accused of expressing religious intolerance while on duty at Houghton Kepier Sport College in Houghton-le-Spring.

The allegation against him is that between February and March 2007 he used a school laptop during lessons and contributed to online discussions in which he demonstrated views suggestive of racial and religious intolerance.

Riot police were on duty outside the General Teaching Council offices in Birmingham, where dozens of the party's supporters and anti-fascist activists had gathered.

The hearing was adjourned after former president of the National Union of Teachers Judy Moor-house stood down from the disciplinary panel.

Technology teacher Mr Walker submitted that the presence of Ms Moorhouse on the committee meant there was a real possibility the tribunal might be biased.

Mr Walker, of Spen-nymoor, left his job last year.