AN ANTI-RACISM charity has reaffirmed filmmaker Ken Loach as a judge of its annual schools art competition, despite a smear campaign by the Board of Deputies of British Jews (BoD).

Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) last month faced calls to ditch Mr Loach from the BoD, which accused the director of anti-semitism.

The charity — which encourages young people to produce art with an anti-racism theme – said it had been contacted by ”many prominent figures in academia, the arts, education, law, media, politics, science and sport” to endorse its decision to work with Mr Loach and author Michael Rosen.

The BoD’s complaint was supported and shared on social media by then chancellor Sajid Javid.

But a statement issued by SRtRC on Thursday said: “As a world-renowned film director, we are delighted that [Mr Loach] has agreed to judge our annual school competition, alongside the recognised novelist, poet and former children’s laureate Michael Rosen.”

Mr Loach said it was a “shame” that the charity had been forced to deal with “baseless claims of this sort.”

“They are a distraction from the vital work of anti-racist education, which is needed now more than ever,” he said.

“These smears are very distressing to me and my family, but I have been overwhelmed by the support of so many artists, academics, lawyers, footballers, trade unionists — people with a lifetime’s experience of committed work in their fields.”

The decision was condemned yesterday by Labour Against Anti-semitism, which said it was “appropriate and necessary” for the board to suggest that Mr Loach not be appointed as a judge for a school’s anti-racism competition.

But many of Mr Loach’s fellow luminaries countered allegations of racism against him.

Actress Miriam Margolyes said she was “delighted” by the decision, describing the filmmaker as a “man who has dedicated his life to opposing racism.”

Football icon Eric Cantona, himself known for tackling abuse head-on, and former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson also offered their support.

Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance called on the BoD to apologise to Mr Loach, while comedian Steve Coogan highlighted the filmmaker’s long career in campaigning for social justice.

“Loach’s entire career has been to shine a light on the plight of the dispossessed and the disenfranchised… For him to be castigated by the likes of Sajid Javid is shameful,” Mr Coogan said.

Labour’s shadow chancellor John McDonnell described Mr Loach as “an outstanding, dedicated campaigner against racism in all its forms.”