BHA expresses concern at allegations that political lobbying influenced Charity Commission’s Exclusive Brethren decision

On Tuesday The Times’ front page carried an investigation into the Exclusive Brethren, a separatist Christian group that last year won a case with the Charity Commission as to whether or not its associated organisations meet the public benefit test required of organisations wishing to register as charities. The Times essentially alleges that the decision by the Commission to award the Brethren charitable tax relief worth potentially £13 million was a consequence of a huge lobbying campaign by the Brethren which included their supporting certain MPs’ 2010 election campaigns and having subsequently received support in Parliament from the same individuals. The British Humanist Association (BHA) has expressed concern at the suggestion that the Commission’s decision not to pursue the case was influenced by political lobbying.

The Exclusive Brethren largely isolate themselves from wider society. Individuals who break rules such as interacting with outsiders or using the internet often have ended up exiled from the Brethren community, perhaps unable to ever see their family again. The BHA has previously expressed concern about the Brethren’s network of private schools, given the conservative attitudes towards homosexuality and women, the particularly religious nature of the schools’ curriculums, and the fact that young earth creationism is often taught as scientifically valid.

In 2012 the Charity Commission decided to take a test case over Preston Down Trust, an Exclusive Brethren organisation, by arguing that it did not meet the public benefit test that groups must meet to be registered as charities. Prior to 2006 religious groups were automatically considered to be operating to the public benefit. But the Commission had concerns about the Brethren due to the isolationist nature of the Brethren meaning the Trust ‘had a limited beneficial impact on the wider community. The Commission was also generally aware of allegations with regard to detriment and harm which might militate against public benefit’.

However, The Times alleges, alongside an appeal of the decision to the Charity Tribunal, this prompted a huge lobbying campaign by members of the Brethren: the Charity Commission ‘had their offices deluged with more than 3,000 letters from adherents’, and 449 MPs were visited by Brethren members. In addition, The Times argues that some MPs who were particularly supportive of the Brethren in the case had received extensive leafleting support from Brethren members in their 2010 election campaigns.

In February 2013 the Charity Commission decided at the last minute to agree to the Brethren’s request to negotiate a settlement to the case out of court. In January 2014 the Commission reversed its previous decision and registered Preston Down after it amended its charitable objects to commit to acting in the wider public benefit. This was in spite of the Commission also concluding, in its words, ‘that there were elements of detriment and harm which emanated from doctrine and practices of the Brethren and which had a negative impact on the wider community as well as individuals. In particular the nature and impact of the Disciplinary Practices and the impact of the doctrines and practices on those who leave and on children within the PBCC may have consequences for society.’

BHA Director of Public Affairs Pavan Dhaliwal commented, ‘We are concerned by the suggestion that the decision to allow an Exclusive Brethren group to register as a charity was not because the group acts in the public interest, but as a result of the extensive political lobbying the Brethren engaged in. It is vital that the Charity Commission is able to refuse to register groups of any nature as charities if they are not acting in the public interest, and that includes religious groups. We have written to the Charity Commission to raise our concerns about how this decision was reached.’

Notes

For further comment or information contact BHA Director of Public Affairs and Campaigns Pavan Dhaliwal at pavan@humanists.uk or on 0773 843 5059.

Read the Charity Commission’s decision to register Preston Down Trust: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/preston-down-trust

Read The Times’ investigation – no paywall:

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The British Humanist Association is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people who seek to live ethical and fulfilling lives on the basis of reason and humanity. It promotes a secular state and equal treatment in law and policy of everyone, regardless of religion or belief.