The recent case of the eight Unison members from Neath who lost their jobs for looking at Ebay during worktime contradicts this rather smug statement. It is a problem for all Unions not just Solidarity. We have advised our members to avoid any use of the Internet at work which is not directly work related.

I believe the Headteacher has banned pupils leaving the school during lunchtime. So the counting comment is wrong.

In fact I requested that the demonstration be dispersed after we entered the meeting. This was due to the fact that local police seemed to be getting a little edgy as the local youth were showing an interest. They don’t seem to get on that well.

The press gave the figure of 50 for the demo but they all left at 10.30 after the pupils attending that day had arrived.

I have no interest in fiddling numbers as it is a complete irrelevance to me whether we had 10, 100 or 1000. We made our point.

LUAF are the real fascists. I wonder what kind of society they want? One where you have no privacy at work, no freedom of expression and employers can trample on you if your face doesn’t fit.

I will continue to champion the rights of all regardless. I find it amazing that opponents of the BNP can act in such a non-ideological and counter-productive fashion. Today the BNP is the target but the precedents set will inevitably be used against others.

Well, we’ve all been guilty of a little number fiddling on demos. The police play down numbers on anything but I’ve generally found even them more accurate than most demo organisers.

Counting the turnout during the normal throughput of lunchtime is a good one though - will have to learn that for the future. Shame you didn’t get more police - you could have counted them too

If this is more complex as Pat suggests (at least more complex than Walker’s brother’s case was), I’ll be very interested to follow developments on LUAF.

‘About 20 fascists turned up. Their numbers were bolstered at various times as curious pupils and ex-pupils arrived to gawp at the spectacle. The odious Patrick Harrington was interviewed by Radio Newcastle. He said that Mark Walker was not present as he might have to work with the headteacher in the future (some hope!). He added that the stress of the suspension has resulted in Walker being under the doctor and he is seeing a counsellor. The fascists finally sloped off by 12.45 just before Mark Walker arrived for the investigatory meeting into his conduct.

Civil Liberty is keen to support Walker in getting his job back so they do not have to divert funds from the BNP to him. Such a move would break Griffin’s heart.’

The demonstration was very orderly and we kept it low-key when pupils entered at 1000. This was reflected in a low-level police presence (two for most of the time rising to a maximum of four).

I think that this case raises a number of interesting and important issues (some of which you identify). I can’t really comment on the specifics of the case but I will say that I don’t think it is a straightforward as many currently believe.

I still hope for an amicable resolution though given the confrontational management style it seems increasingly unlikely.