Wilde told local publication The Bristol Cable that the union had successfully pressured the schools trust to disinvite Charlotte Wilson, a representative of Check Point and a cybersecurity expert, from its summer conference.
Egan’s planned visit in September last year had been cancelled after protests were planned and teachers threatened to wear keffiyehs to school on the day. School leaders claimed the visit was postponed due to “safeguarding concerns”.
Ministers condemned the decision, with Communities Secretary Steve Reed saying the incident was an “outrage” and the school’s leaders would be held to account. Education Minister Olivia Bailey said MPs should have a basic democratic right to visit schools.
The government’s former counter-extremism adviser Lord Walney said the episode was “sinister” and warned the NEU could face an Equality and Human Rights Commission investigation over antisemitism.
Egan’s visit has since been rescheduled.
The NEU, which said the head office had no knowledge that the school had rescinded Egan’s invitation to speak before it was reported in the press, adding that it opposes antisemitism and supports democratic engagement.
