McAvoy in removal plot claim

Doug McAvoy says the government should listen to teachers

The leader of the biggest teaching union has claimed an attempt is under way to remove him early in favour of his deputy.

Doug McAvoy, contracted to remain as general secretary of the National Union of Teachers until the end June next year, said he was "angry and hurt" that a faction called the Broad Left had sought to undermine him.

He said members had manoeuvred to help his deputy Steve Sinnott's campaign to be elected as his successor, disadvantaging the other candidates.

Mr McAvoy, whose present five-year contract began in June 1999, said a group on the executive wanted to alter the election timetable.

'Campaigning curtailed'

If the Broad Left - a coalition of Labour moderates and former communists - was successful, it would mean him "being dismissed" next February.

Mr McAvoy said: "This tactic is designed to enhance the candidature of Steve Sinnott to the disadvantage of the known other candidates, John Illingworth and John Bangs.

"The effect will be to deny John Illingworth the opportunity to gain support from speaking in debates at next year's annual conference.

"It will curtail the campaigning time available to John Bangs who, as the only independent candidate, needs that time to build his campaign and promote his candidature.

'Bandwagon'

"The proposed timetable positions the election of the general secretary between other elections, of the national officers and those for the national executive.

"The political faction will have a slate of candidates in each of the elections and will hope to create a bandwagon. They certainly will promote their candidate as part of their overall political slate.

"If any governing body or education authority sought to terminate the contract of a teacher in this way, the NUT would be outraged and offer full support to that teacher."

The Broad Left argues that the NUS's rules say elections "shall be held at least prior to the end of every fifth year following the previous election".

The date, it says, should be decided by the executive.