Antisemitism row Ofsted probes school's cancellation of MP's visit

A BRISTOL school became the centre of a national scandal - as well as an emergency Ofsted probe - this week after it came to light that a planned visit by a local Jewish MP had been cancelled for fear of protests by pro-Palestine activists.

- Angus MCINTYRE

Damien Egan, Labour MP for Bristol North East, pictured on the left with his husband Yossi Felberbaum

(Ian Vogler)

Brunel Academy's sponsor the Cabot Learning Federation has also revealed it is investigating allegations an influential member of its team made pro-Hamas social media posts online.

Bristol North East Labour MP Damien Egan had been due to make a routine visit to the Speedwell secondary school in September.

Mr Egan is vice chair of the ‘Labour Friends of Israel’ group and is Jewish. His husband, Yossi Felberbaum, was born in Israel and served in the Israel Defence Forces for six years.

However, according to school chiefs, the visit was pulled for safety reasons when news of a potential protest at the school gates became known. The cancellation passed with little fanfare and a new visit was reportedly arranged.

However, on Sunday it was reported that Communities Secretary Steve Reed had told a Jewish Labour Movement conference a fellow Labour MP had been banned.

"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," he said. "That is an absolute outrage."

On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said the postponement of the September visit was "very serious, very concerning," and that MPs should be able to visit anywhere in their constituency safely and "without fear of antisemitism".

"We will be holding those to account who have prevented this visit to this school," the Prime Minister added.

Yesterday Ofsted arrived at the school for an unscheduled inspection.