€30,000 Fine for British Ski Teacher Found Guilty of Illegally Ski Teaching in France
€30,000 Fine for British Ski Teacher Found Guilty of Illegally Ski Teaching in France
Published : 17-Jun-2014 08:16
Simon Butler, the ski teacher who was charged with teaching in France without qualifications accepted to teach in France by the French has escaped a jail sentence, but has been handed a €30,000 (approximately £24,000) fine. Mr Butler may still be jailed if he does not pay it. Five ski instructors employed by Mr Butler were fined a further €20,000 in total.
Mr Butler argued that he believes his qualifications are in fact enough for him to be able to teach in France, particularly under EC which allow for equal employment rights. After the ruling he said he plans to appeal.
Before the trial, which is one of several which have been brought against Mr Butler over the years, Mr Butler said he would move his business out of France if he lost the case. He has worked in the country for around 30 years.
UKIP, who have been backing Mr Butler said in a statement from deputy leader Paul Nuttall,
"This is a blatant display of national discrimination by the French government and legal system who will stop at nothing to discourage or prevent non-French nationals from giving ski lessons on French slopes. It really does show that discrimination is rampant in the EU. While the British government gold-plates EU legislation, other countries like France ignore it at will."
The case is one of three currently going through French courts involving British ski organisations. The other two relate to ski hosting and ski guiding operations by British tour operators and the Ski Club of Great Britain.
France is believed to be the only country where there are such issues with British instructors, guides and hosts.
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