A 'mock slave auction' at a Bath school and the governors' refusal to expel three pupils over the alleged incident has been condemned across the UK.

MPs, anti-racism groups, parents and individuals united in their response to news of the allegations, which one MP labelled an example of "vicious, nasty prejudice".

Police are still investigating an incident that took place on school grounds at lunchtime. The Bath Chronicle understands at least seven white teenagers chained up and whipped a black classmate, calling him extreme racist names harking back to the slave trade era.

The board of governors at the school, which cannot be named for legal reasons, overturned the headteacher's decision to expel three of the boys and all seven were allowed to return after a short suspension, it has emerged.

The school and its governors have yet to answer further questions put to them by the Chronicle last week.

Meanwhile, there is growing condemnation of the alleged incident on social media as news of the allegations spreads and international demonstrations are held to mark UN Anti-Racism Day (Saturday, March 17).

And now, a London MP has called the allegations a demonstration of "vicious, nasty prejudice".

The public has expressed its anguish at 'growing racism' in the UK.

Protestors have called for an anti-racist curriculum in schools.

A professor has called for "equality training" for the parents, school and governors involved.

The school has been accused of continuing to "fail to communicate" with parents over the alleged incident

The council has said it is making "safeguarding enquiries".

Labour MP calls out 'vicious, nasty prejudice'

Labour MP for Tottenham David Lammy described the alleged incident as "vicious, nasty prejudice", saying he had hoped such attitudes had "died out in the UK by the mid 1980s".

The campaigning MP, who has spoken out against racial inequality and youth violence, tweeted: "[Such] disgusting behaviour is fuelled by the toxic culture of a newly reborn hard right exceptionalism, xenophobia and glorifying of Britain’s imperial and colonial past."

Anguish at 'growing racism' in the UK

Some Twitter users tried to make sense of the allegations, with some sadly observed a growing racism and 'us and them' culture in the UK.

Jane Scanlan tweeted "I'm ashamed at the direction this country is heading in" and @MiraDreams said " I cannot believe how bleak things are right now".

Some blamed right-wing Conservative elements of UK society and Brexit, saying they have awakened "the sleeping racist in British culture".

Others called on UK society to stand together against hate and fight against racism and sectarianism.

Protestors call for anti-racist curriculum in schools

Local protest organisation Bristol Stand Up to Racism has dubbed the alleged incident "appalling" and called for an anti-racist curriculum in schools.

A spokesman for the group said: "This shows where the casual racism of our political leaders, reflected in much of the mainstream media, can lead to.

"It also shows the urgency for an anti-racist curriculum in all schools. We call on the governors and headteacher of the school in Bath to work with organisations like Show Racism the Red Card [to combat racist attitudes].

"Bristol Stand Up To Racism, alongside the NEU teachers' union are also willing to talk to school assemblies on the need for anti-racist activity and curricula."

Repeated calls for naming, shaming and expulsion

Hundreds took to Twitter to express their own condemnation of the alleged incident, with some repeating calls for the expulsion of the alleged perpetrators and for the school and governors to be held to account.

Many have called for the naming and shaming of the school, but the Bath Chronicle has to preserve its anonymity to protect the identity of the victim.

A online petition calling for "something to be done" was launched on Thursday (March 15), after an earlier petition seeking the expulsion of the alleged perpetrators was removed from change.org.

Professor calls for 'equality training' for the parents, school and governors

Other Twitter users have suggested instead a need to "educate" the alleged perpetrators, school and governors about racism.

Elspeth Webb, a former professor of paediatrics and child health at Cardiff University, suggested that, whatever happens to the alleged perpetrators, the parents of the alleged perpetrators, the teachers at the school and the governs could benefit from equality training, followed by some "serious supervised and facilitated self reflection".

"Such incidents don't come out of nothing", she said.

School 'has failed to communicate' with parents

Conversations about the incident have continued among Bath residents continued on social media, and many continue to contact the Bath Chronicle with their thoughts, questions and concerns.

One Bath parent told us on Friday (March 16) she thought the school had failed to communicate with parents since the alleged incident.

"There are so many rumours and the school has failed to communicate in any reasonable or sensible way with parents," she said.

"It is particularly disappointing that no action has been taken within the school in the way of school assemblies etc to talk to pupils about racism and diversity/inclusion."

Council making 'safeguarding enquiries'

When Bath and North East Somerset Council was asked what actions it was taking in the wake of the allegations, a spokesman said: "The council is undertaking all the appropriate safeguarding enquiries.

"The council will consider what action needs to be taken once the current enquiries are completed, but cannot comment any further while the police investigation is ongoing.

"The majority of secondary schools in Bath and North East Somerset are academies, under the responsibility of the Regional Schools Commissioner.

"B&NES Council is acting in relation to its safeguarding role and responsibilities."

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