School apology after photo of Reform UK MP Lee Anderson placed near fascists

A school has apologised after a photo of Reform UK MP Lee Anderson was placed close to fascists Sir Oswald Mosley and Benito Mussolini on a wall display about political ideologies.

The MP said the display, at Quarrydale Academy in his Ashfield constituency, was an example of “children being radicalised” and “an insult to millions of British people”.

The school has not clarified whether the arrangement was put together by pupils or staff, but said it had been intended to “prompt discussion about how political ideas are classified”.

Head teacher Tim Paling said the display had now been removed and the school was sorry for any offence or distress caused.

Anderson has been Ashfield’s MP since 2019, originally as a Conservative before he defected to Reform UK in March 2024.

On his Facebook page, he shared an image of the display at the school in Sutton-in-Ashfield showing the terms “extreme right-wing”, “fascism” and “Nazi Party” with images of Sir Oswald Mosley, Benito Mussolini and Marine Le Pen arranged around it – and then Anderson and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage immediately to their left.

It prompted Anderson to ask education minister Georgia Gould in the House of Commons whether she agreed it should have been part of the Year 9 curriculum.

She responded there were strict rules around political impartiality in the education system and all schools were expected to apply them.

In a statement issued in response to concerns, school head teacher Mr Paling said: “The display was a visual aid and intended to prompt discussion about how political ideas are classified in historical contexts.

“However, we recognise that the placement of certain contemporary political figures within this display could be considered inappropriate or easily misinterpreted. Therefore a decision was made to remove the display.

“The school is reviewing how political and historical content is presented in lessons to ensure that context is always clear and that no materials can be misconstrued or cause offence.

“Quarrydale Academy would like to apologies for any concerns, offence or distress this situation may have caused.”