Reform UK MP accused of 'witch-hunt' after issuing warning over teachers

A Reform UK MP has been accused of mounting a "witch-hunt" after saying that he had a list of schools where teachers were allegedly "pushing" critical views about the hard-right party to pupils.

- Ben Quinn, Sally Weale

Rupert Lowe, the new MP for Great Yarmouth, said he had been contacted by parents in the constituency and would be pursuing the issue with headteachers.

His warnings have sparked unease and anger among senior figures in schools in the area, according to the deputy leader of the Labour group on Norfolk county council.

The MP tweeted that he had "heard disturbing reports of local schools forcing negative political beliefs about Reform on children during the campaign".

Lowe added: "I have gathered a list of schools (including primary level) in my constituency where teachers were allegedly pushing their own aggressive personal views about Reform on young children. I will be following up with each and every headteacher, making it abundantly clear that their responsibility to the children does NOT include forcing political opinions on impressionable young boys and girls." Reform, which won 14% of the vote share at last week's general election, has stood on a platform of hardline opposition to immigration, saying it wants to reduce net migration to zero.