The Charity Commission, in it's guideline booklet CC21: Registering As A Charity, states:
Charitable purposes
7. To be a charity an organisation must have purposes which are exclusively charitable. A charity's purposes are its objects or aims which are usually set out in its governing document. The meaning of "charitable purposes" is largely based upon the decisions of the Court and ourselves over the years.
8. Charitable purposes can be grouped under four broad headings:
First Group -
- the relief of financial hardship;
- the advancement of education; and
- the advancement of religion.
Second Group - certain other purposes for the benefit of the community.
9. For both groups it is essential that the purposes are also for the public benefit. This means it is for the benefit of the community (or a significant section of it).
10. Where the purposes of an organisation come within the First Group of charitable purposes, we assume they are for the benefit of the public unless we have real doubts about them. In general, if we have doubts, we may ask you to show us how the pursuit of the organisation's objects will definitely benefit the public in a way that is recognised as charitable. Where an organisation is set up for Second Group purposes (other charitable purposes for the benefit of the community) we do not necessarily assume that it will be for the public benefit. Again, there must be clear evidence that there is a definite benefit for the public in a way that is recognised as charitable. In some cases, if an organisation is registered as a charity, we will refer the charity to our monitoring staff so that we can help the charity make sure that its activities do, in fact, benefit the public in this way.
Purposes which are not for the public benefit
11. In general, a purpose is not charitable if it is mainly for the benefit of a named person or specific individuals. It will also not be charitable if the people who will benefit from it are defined by a personal or contractual relationship with each other. For example, if the beneficiaries are related or connected to the person who is setting up the charity, or where they are defined by common employment or by membership of a non-charitable body, for example, members of a professional institute.
12. An exception to this general rule exists in the case of the relief of financial hardship, where the people to benefit can come from a more restricted group, such as people having the same employer.
13. The extent of public benefit may vary between different types of charity, and although it may not be possible to define exactly what amounts to actual benefit, or what forms a sufficient section of the public, no organisation can be charitable if:
- its purposes are illegal or could be said to further illegal purposes;
- it is set up for the personal benefit of
- its trustees;
- its employees (other than in the case of relieving need, for example, there is no reason why a charity should not operate a benevolent fund for its staff); or
- other specific individuals;
- it is created for the specific purpose of carrying out political or propagandist activities; or
- its purposes are against the public interest.
- by giving money to beneficiaries;
- by providing food, clothing or housing;
- by giving advisory or other services to those in need; or
- by providing support for other organisations which give help to people suffering hardship.
- playgroups;
- organisations providing work-related training (for example, nursing or engineering); and
- research institutions.
- be founded on a belief in a supreme being or beings; and
- involve expression of that belief through worship.
- organisations where the benefit is wholly private (such as an entirely enclosed religious order where the activities consist only of private prayer); and
- where an organisation is set up to promote the beliefs of a particular religion which undermine the accepted foundations of religion and morality, or are otherwise contrary to the public interest.
I will be writing to the Charity Commission along these lines. Unfortunately I've seen that the government really doesn't give a monkeys about expatriates or their viewpoints (I don't pay tax to them any more).
So, if any resident Brits think this is a good idea, your word will carry much more weight than mine! You could inform the Commission of the exposures of the Watchtower by both US and UK media, give some details on it, and state how outraged you are that an organisation which clearly is going against the public interest is getting the benefits of Charitable Status. Then ask for an investigation.
Now, the Charity Commission states that it does not investigate criminal matters, but that it does have close contact with other government agencies. Here is what CC47: Inquiries Into Charities says:
What complaints can we consider? 5. By law, we cannot act in the administration of a charity, nor can we interfere in its affairs where the trustees have acted properly. We will, however, consider complaints and concerns supported by evidence, particularly where it appears that:the way the charity is run is putting the funds or other assets at risk;the funds or other assets of the charity are being used or applied in improper ways;the trustees are misleading the public, or us, or others with an interest in the charity (eg beneficiaries or employees) in a material way; the trustees are receiving unauthorised benefits from the charity; proper accounts are not kept; fund-raising or administration costs are too high; or the charity is undertaking improper political activities.6. We do not have power to investigate criminal matters. If an inquiry uncovers possible criminal offences we will notify the police. We also have close contacts with other bodies such as the Inland Revenue, Customs and Excise and the Department of Trade and Industry.
I think that at least two of these criteria can be said to apply to the Watchtower coverup.
In order to contact them, you must write to them at one of their three offices:
| LONDON | TAUNTON | LIVERPOOL |
| Harmsworth House 13-15 Bouverie Street London EC4Y 8DP Telephone : 0870 333 0123 Fax : 020 7674 2300 Central Register Open from 0900-1700 | Woodfield House Tangier Taunton Somerset TA1 4BL Telephone : 0870 333 0123 Fax : 01823 345003 Central Register Open from 0930-1600 | 20 Kings Parade Queens Dock Liverpool L3 4DQ Telephone : 0870 333 0123 Fax : 0151 703 1555 Central Register Open from 0900-1630 |
The number for hearing and speech impaired callers using a minicom is: 0870 333 0125. Members of the public - how to alert us 9. The first step is to write to our Investigations Division (at one of our offices)with the following information:Reference links: Charity commission: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/CC21: Rgistering As A Charity: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc21.aspCC47: Inquiries Into Charities: http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/publications/cc47.aspExpatbritthe name of the charity and its registration number (if known); a summary of your complaint or concern, and the background to what has occurred; details of the assets which you believe have been misused or are at risk; details (or copies) of any documentary evidence in support of your concerns; details of any attempts you have made to get the charity to address your concerns; details of any previous correspondence or contact with us about these matters; details of any correspondence you may have had with the police or other public bodies about your concerns; and your full name, address and telephone number and connection, if any, with the charity. Please note that we cannot promise to take any action on the basis of an anonymous complaint (but see below).Confidentiality 10. It will be difficult for us to deal with your concerns properly unless we can use the information you provide. If you write to us, please therefore state:whether we may put your complaint and any evidence to the charity; and whether we may reveal your name to the charity as the complainant.11. If you do not wish these to happen, you may nevertheless pass information to us. We will respect confidences so far as we are able, with due regard to the individual's rights to privacy under data protection and human rights legislation. However, a person who is under inquiry is entitled to know the nature of the allegations being made, and any person criticised by us as a result of an inquiry has a right to be told the nature of the evidence upon which the criticism has been based. While we will take every step to try to ensure that a complainant's identity is not revealed without their consent, in some cases the nature of the allegations or evidence may give an indication as to their source. Also, in limited cases there may be an obligation to reveal information under freedom of information legislation. 12. The results of inquiries may be disclosed under the Code of Open Government, or under freedom of information legislation. The results may also be used in Court proceedings and some, of particular public interest, are published. Documents and information gathered during the course of, and for the purposes of, a formal inquiry will be treated in confidence, unless and until we decide to publish the results or they are required under a Court Order during legal proceedings. 13. It is a criminal offence knowingly or recklessly to supply us with information which is false or misleading. | ||
Edited by - expatbrit on 14 July 2002 8:28:2