The local MP for where Anderton Park Primary School in Birmingham is located, Roger Godsiff, has been filmed telling a group who object to the school promoting the acceptance of LGBT people that they have a ‘just cause’ and criticising the Headteacher for not doing more to allay their concerns.
The school has been at the centre of the most intimidating protests this year regarding state funded schools acknowledging the existence and promoting the acceptance of LGBT people. A High Court injunction at the end of May which banned protests outside the school is being reconsidered by the Court today.
Chair of the Accord Coalition for Inclusive Education, the Revd Stephen Terry, said ‘Anderton Park Primary School is providing an education that simply accords with its obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty to promote understanding between people of different characteristics. It has come under intense pressure, and desperately requires greater moral support.’
‘Roger Godsiff’s comments are staggeringly unhelpful and amount to a betrayal of our equality laws. If we really want to live in a fairer and more cohesive country this legislation must be vigorously and publicly affirmed by our political leaders as stating core principles that should underpin our increasingly diverse society. We strongly urge that this disgraceful outburst be firmly disowned by the Labour leadership.’
‘The remarks by Roger Godsiff are shockingly irresponsible and should be condemned. But they should not be allowed to distract from a wider vacuum of political leadership that is leaving schools like Anderton Park Primary School badly exposed. Schools urgently require greater support from public agencies and political leaders in performing their duties to promote understanding and acceptance between people of different backgrounds.’
