Teaching union faces legal action over appointment of firebrand leader (2025)

A teaching union is facing legal action over the appointment of a firebrand boss who is also embroiled in an anti-Semitism row.

Matt Wrack, a hard-Left Jeremy Corbyn ally, was appointed uncontested as the General Secretary of the NASUWT despite being a former fireman with no teaching experience.

Now lawyers have launched an application for an injunction to have the decision rescinded.

They are acting on behalf of another would-be candidate, Neil Butler, who they say was unfairly blocked from standing against Mr Wrack.

At the same time, critics rounded on Mr Wrack yesterday for comments he made in 2016 about anti-Semitism in the Labour party under Corbyn’s leadership.

He called the crisis ‘the so-called furore about so-called anti-Semitism’, implying it was part of an attempt to weaken Corbyn.

Luke Akehurst, Labour MP for North Durham, called his appointment ‘disappointing’.

He told the Jewish News: ‘I hope Mr Wrack does not drag the NASUWT into militancy aimed at undermining a Labour government or into… visceral anti-Zionism.’

Russell Langer, director of communications at the Jewish Leadership Council, added: ‘Jewish teachers who are members of the NASUWT will be rightly concerned by a general secretary who played a leading role in downplaying anti-Semitism in the Labour Party.

‘At a time where Jewish teachers are dealing with a frightening rise in anti-Semitism in the workplace they deserve a union leader who will prioritise their welfare.’

One Jewish member of NASUWT said: ‘Wrack’s appointment is genuinely frightening. He does not represent us.’

It is understood there are 1,000 Jewish teachers in the NASUWT, which has previously been seen as a politically moderate union.

Mr Wrack was selected by the NASUWT’s Left-wing national executive as their preferred candidate after he failed to get re-elected for his previous role leading the Fire Brigades Union.

Under NASUWT rules, anyone hoping to run against him – and force an election – would need the support of 25 local branches.

It is understood Mr Butler, the NASUWT’s national officer for Wales, set about gathering this support but was blocked because he was not a union member.

This is despite him being a teacher and member for three decades, before giving up his membership to serve as staff for seven years.

Mr Wrack's supporters say no rule exists to stop non-members standing, and in addition they claim the union ignored legal advice that he was unfairly blocked.

Wrack would be the first leader in the NASUWT’s history never to have been a qualified teacher or lecturer.

He has previously been criticised as ‘overly combative’ by ministerial sources, due to his penchant for strikes.

Daniel Pearn, a teacher and NASUWT member, told The Guardian: 'We know that [Matt Wrack] has never been a teacher, and for a teacher-led union that doesn’t sit right with me.

'I feel that the person who goes to speak for us, and for our working rights, should be a teacher.

'In the past we’ve had general secretaries who have been in the profession, one way or another, as teachers or lecturers.

'It feels like a really odd appointment to me.'

The NASUWT has been contacted for comment.

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