The LEADER of The Reclaim Party has claimed Kirklees Council have attempted to ban a public meeting on “freedom of speech and tolerance in the UK” following a controversial incident which took place at Batley Grammar School earlier this year.

One week before the Batley and Spen by election, it has been claimed that Kirklees Council have tried to shut down a public meeting in Batley Market Square organised by Laurence Fox, leader of The Reclaim Party, to raise the issue of the teacher from Batley Grammar School who was suspended from work after discussing press freedom and religious extremism in one of his classes.

The teacher received death threats and was forced into hiding with his partner and four children. He was put under investigation by the school.

At the time there were unofficial protests at the school gates by some school parents against the teacher.

The event, scheduled for 5.45pm today, was organised by The Reclaim Party and local campaigner Paul Halloran.

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “The council welcomes healthy debate and respects freedom of speech. We also have a responsibility to make sure all events we permit on our land are safe, well organised and take into account potential disruption to local residents and businesses.

"That’s why we ask organisers - in advance of an event - to provide details of their plans, how they have assessed potential risks and how we can work together to make sure their event goes smoothly for everyone. This is a common sense approach and is standard practice across local authorities.

“In this case, the event organisers have not requested permission for the use of the council’s land.

"In the absence of assurances on public safety and legal compliance with Covid requirements or the impact on residents and businesses, council staff had no choice but to notify the organiser that they did not have permission to use the council’s assets.”

The Reclaim Party have confirmed they will be continuing with the event regardless of Kirklees Council.

Mr Fox, leader of The Reclaim Party, said: "We cannot deal with difficult issues by banning discussion. Attempting to stop a public meeting to discuss tolerance and freedom of speech in the middle of a by election in a public square is both ironic and extremely dangerous for democracy."