A DRAMA teacher from the Astor Theatre Arts Centre at Deal has been sacked after it emerged she was appearing in controversial broadcasts for the British National Party.

Following the revelations Astor chairman Jon Johanson said that Emma Chamberlain would be starting her courses on Monday as planned, despite her links with the BNP, as her teaching was an integral part of the Astor.

But later he told the East Kent Mercury in an e-mail: “The centre will not be renewing her contract with immediate effect.” He would not comment further.

Local MP Gwyn Prosser, a fervent opponent of the far-right BNP, welcomed the move.

He said the BNP stood for policies which were racist and added: “I believe the decision to dispense with Miss Chamberlain’s services was a wise one and I’m relieved to know that children attending the highly successful drama group at the Astor will not be exposed to someone who supports and promotes the agenda of the British National Party.”

The actress has taken part in interviews for the BNP, whose press officer Dr Phil Edwards said the former Walmer School student has been involved with online broadcasts for the party’s website television service. When told about her sacking he added that she was a victim of a “good old-fashioned witch hunt”.

Roger Brown, a trustee at the Astor, said he had been “flabbergasted” when he read about Miss Chamberlain’s links with the BNP in last week’s Mercury.

He added: “I have known Emma since she was a girl and she was very good at what she did at the theatre. I was shocked to find out about her links with the BNP.”

Miss Chamberlain had been involved with the management at the Astor and had been teaching drama to young people for four and a half years.

She has not responded to requests from the East Kent Mercury to comment.