THE chairman of the Astor Theatre Arts Centre at Deal, Jon Johanson, is standing by drama teacher Emma Chamberlain who has been featured on the British National Party’s website.

The actress has been taking part in interviews for the BNP, whose press officer Dr Phil Edwards, described the former Walmer School pupil as a “very well-spoken and charming young lady".

He said she had been involved with online broadcasts for the BNP’s website television service, but could not confirm whether she will continue to be helping the political party.

Mr Johanson is due to meet theatre trustees to discuss Miss Chamberlain’s role with the BNP, but today told the East Kent Mercury the theatre’s new drama term would be restarting next week with the same teacher.

He added: “The Astor is a charity and is not allowed to be political. We don’t talk politics in the theatre and Miss Chamberlain’s record with us speaks for itself.

“She has been at the theatre for four and a half years and her drama classes are an integral part of the Astor.”

Miss Chamberlain, 30, who lives in Deal, attended secondary school in Walmer before taking a media studies course at college in Dover.

She went on to Bournemouth University to take a degree in script writing for film and television, later studying for a PhD in the British war films of the 1950s to 1960s.

Training with the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, in 2003 she appeared on stage at the Edinburgh Festival as the lead in Weekend Break, a production by Jon Johanson.

At the Astor Theatre, she teaches drama to teenagers and children aged from eight, taking them through examinations and helping with performances.

Miss Chamberlain has been reported as saying that any political affiliation she has does not affect the theatre or her teaching.

Despite attempts by the East Kent Mercury to contact her, she had not responded as the newspaper went to press.