A MARTIAL arts instructor has lost his job for apparently being a member of a banned neo-Nazi group.

The man, who taught children at Total Martial Arts Premier Academy in Toothill, is understood to be closely involved with National Action, a UK-based white supremacist movement.

The group was banned by Home Secretary Amber Rudd in December 2016 on the grounds that it was “a racist, anti-Semitic and homophobic organisation which stirs up hatred, glorifies violence and promotes a vile ideology”.

It’s members have spoken of their strong admiration for Adolf Hitler and their desire to see racial minorities thrown out of the country.

Wiltshire Police confirmed that the martial arts school recently sent a letter to parents addressing concerns over radicalisation.

A spokesperson for the force said: “This letter was issued as part of a long term safeguarding strategy. The investigation is still ongoing and we are unable to comment further.”

It is understood that the instructor has now been removed from his post at the academy.

A spokesman for Total Martial Arts spoke of the school’s shock.

In a statement, the academy said the instructor was asked to leave TMA as soon as the issue was raised.

"We have been co-operating with the police and the local authority in their investigation and in making the decision on how to inform our students," the academy said.

“We were shocked and appalled to learn of the potential extremist views held by this individual and had absolutely no idea that they held these views or of their potential involvement in any organisation that share or promote them.

“We at TMA totally distance ourselves from such views and have no connection to them. We do not condone such ideologies and they couldn’t be further from our culture at TMA.”

They spoke of their commitment to “the safety and security” of students and stressed their “zero tolerance policy on any behaviour that may promote the wrong image or bring our academy into disrepute”.

Members of National Action have in the past held secret meetings in Swindon.