Last week in his editorial Gerard Kelly opposed a ban on British National Party teachers on the grounds that “it would be a gross overreaction and turn them into martyrs” (“BNP ban would undermine democracy”, March 5). I beg to differ.

In Stoke-on-Trent, the BNP is carrying out a systematic campaign of infiltrating the education system.

Local authorities have a duty to protect young people, as well as teaching and non-teaching staff, from harassment, discrimination, intolerance and abuse. They also have a duty to promote community cohesion. These values are clearly at variance with the racist beliefs of the BNP.

Jason Hill, Retired teacher and school governor, Stoke-on-Trent.