Jewish Labour MP Barred From Visiting Local School Amid Claims His Presence Would ‘Inflame Teachers’

A Jewish Labour MP was reportedly prevented from visiting a school in his own constituency over concerns that his appearance would “inflame teachers.”

Damien Egan, the Labour MP for Bristol North East, had been scheduled to visit Bristol Brunel Academy in September, but the trip was called off following pressure from far-left activists linked to Bristol’s branch of the National Education Union (NEU) and a local Palestine Solidarity Campaign group.

According to reports, Egan was blocked on the grounds of unspecified “safeguarding concerns” after activists — claiming to speak on behalf of teachers, parents, and local residents — raised objections to his association with Labour Friends of Israel.

Campaigners hailed the cancellation as a victory, describing it as a win for “safeguarding, solidarity, and for the power of the NEU trade union staff group, parents, and campaigners standing together.”

One NEU representative said teachers had planned to wear keffiyehs inside the school on the day of the visit and were preparing “work that members could do with students in preparation” before the visit was ultimately scrapped.

The incident was publicly addressed on Sunday by Communities Secretary Steve Reed, who disclosed that a Jewish MP had been denied access to a school in his own constituency due to fears about staff reaction.

“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,” Reed told the Jewish News.

“That is an absolute outrage.”