We the undersigned support the right of Mark Walker to join and stand for public office as a member of any lawfully-constituted political party he chooses without it affecting his professional status as a teacher or his employment in Sunnydale Community College. Free speech and Freedom of Association are two of the cornerstones of our democratic society and must be supported without reservation.

We fear that his current suspension from work is politically-motivated rather than as a result of any minor offence he may have committed. We call upon the Board of Governors to reinstate Mr Walker to his position as a teacher in the school as we believe that the stresses and strains in the months since his suspension have been punishment enough for this dedicated and popular teacher. To avoid any suggestion of partiality, we further call upon the Board of Governors to set out staff internet access rights clearly in writing and in a specific school policy to allow for no doubt as to what it is permissible to browse and when; to obtain express consent from staff regarding monitoring of emails and internet use and to be consistent in the application of disciplinary action for all staff. We call for them to work with Solidarity Union representatives to reach an amicable and harmonious settlement of this long-running and acrimonious case.