STUDENT peace protesters walked out of school to demonstrate their opposition to war with Iraq yesterday.

The ten pupils from Otley's Prince Henry's Grammar School were led by Sachin Sharma.

The 19-year-old made national news two weeks ago when he was suspended for inciting other students to walk out of school.

But he will not face disciplinary action this time for a demonstration which came just hours after two of the local MPs, Howard Best and Paul Truswell, had defied the Govern-ment and voted in favour of an amendment claiming that the case for war against Saddam Hussein was still not proven.

Sharma said: "What we have achieved is to show that opposition still exists to any armed conflict to forcibly disarm Iraq.

"We might not stop the war but at least we will show we are against it. I hope this will give courage to other sections of British society to stand up for their beliefs."

The anti-war message is continued by Mr Best, MP for Leeds North West, writing in his new column for the Wharfedale Observer today.

He wrote: "I feel that the threat to world stability posed by any non-UN approved military action could outweigh the threat posed by the murderous Saddam Hussein regime.

"As such I remain opposed to British involvement in the US-led campaign against Iraq to achieve US stated objectives within a US timetable for regime change (in part driven by weather considerations).

"In my opinion there are alternatives to a hasty pre-emptive military campaign. Iraq's belated acceptance of a return of weapons inspectors should have been welcomed by everyone together with an agreed timetable for the completion of the UN Weapons Inspectors' work.

"This should be in conjunction with a timetable for the removal of economic sanctions and greater aid and support for the Iraqi people who have suffered dreadfully over the past decades."

Mr Truswell, MP for Horsforth, Pudsey and Guiseley, said: "I have consistently urged the Government to make as much evidence available as possible regarding Iraq's arsenal of weapons and the threat from them.

"I also wanted them to engage the international community via the UN, and to ensure that arms inspectors were given every reasonable opportunity to conclude their work."

That is a view shared by Sharma and his nine fellow pupils who staged their protest outside the school gates on Farnley Lane before marching through the school buildings to rally support.

The group then formed a blockade across the road before they were stopped for safety reasons by the school's deputy head teacher John Townsley.

After mid-morning break the protesters marched into Otley Market Square before making their way to the Stop the War Coalition rally in Leeds.

But the Prince Henry's protest was low key compared to the one staged by students at Ilkley Grammar which led to the upper school having to be closed.

At Otley Mr Townsley confirmed: "I believe ten students left the school to attend a rally in Leeds with my full knowledge."

Earlier in the week Sharma issued forms requesting parental consent for students to leave school for the day to attend the protest.

The form, to be signed by consenting parents, said: "We give permission to our daughter or son to participate in a student led walkout in recognition of our child's belief that any armed conflict engaged by our representative government without the express agreement of the United Nations is a breach of international law."

The school then issued a letter stating that without direct parental contact with them that the forms would not be considered valid.

The communication, signed by Mr Townsley, said: "It is extremely important that parents and carers understand that this communication (Sharma's is not connected to any staff at Prince Henry's.

"Furthermore, as a school we cannot, under any circumstances condone students in Years 7 to 11 being out of school and unsupervised by teachers at any time."

Yesterday Mr Townsley said: "Unless we have spoken directly to parents of pupils wishing to leave the school premises for the day we do not consider these forms to be valid.

"We are happy to work with the post 16 years-of-age students, to support them in a balanced and impartial debate.

"What we are not prepared to see is Key stage 3 and 4 pupils - those under the age of 16 - put at any risk. As far as I can see this protest has had no risk assessment."

Mr Townsley added: "Full discussion and consultation with parents is required before any action can be taken."

Mr Townsley said he was in support of active protest out of school hours. "There is opportunity for debate as part of the citizenship curriculum," he added.

Despite these warnings the protesters were joined by three 15-year-olds from Year 11.

Mr Townsley did not want to comment on any individual student but said that no action would be taken by the school against any pupils over the age of 16 who left the school to protest.

Year 12 student and protester Abbi Stackhouse said: "War is immoral. This is worth risking suspension for. We don't expect the school to support our political bias but they should support freedom of speech. Young people have an opinion too - including under 16s."

Sophie Allen, a Year 12 pupil at the school, said: "The protest has gone very well."

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