Adam Walker, who taught at Houghton Kepier School, is believed to be the first teacher to be hauled before England's General Teaching Council (GTC) to face the charge.

It is believed he is accused of expressing views "suggestive of racial and religious intolerance" in an Internet forum.

The 39-year-old, from County Durham, has stood as a candidate for the British National Party (BNP) in local elections.

He claims the allegations against him are driven by "politically motivated spite".

Mr Walker, a design teacher, resigned from Houghton Kepier Sports College after the school began disciplinary action in early 2007.

He has been working as a supply teacher for the past year.

A former soldier, Mr Walker is president on the union Solidarity, which is affiliated to the BNP.

His disciplinary case is said to centre on allegations of using a school computer to access a right-wing website, but the union said his only crime was political dissidence and was being "denied the right to earn a living because he disagreed with the Government's views".
Solidarity is representing Mr Walker in the case, and was present at the first GTC hearing on September 8.

It has been reported it objected to the presence of GTC disciplinary hearing panel chairwoman Judy Moorhouse.

The GTC said the case would next be heard on November 17, but was unlikely to be completed on that day.

"There are still preliminary matters to be sorted out - it's a pretty long process," a spokesman added.