Watchdog warns charities over unionist unity letter

NINE charities have been warned about crossing political boundaries after signing a letter urging the UUP to stand aside to give the DUP a better chance of retaining one of its seats in the general election.

The warning came from the Charity Commission, which strongly rejected any suggestion it had acted in a political matter by issuing the warnings.

It said the matter came to its attention after the letter appeared in the Belfast Telegraph and it acted in line with its core values.

“The independent nature of the charitable sector is of fundamental importance to society and is greatly valued by the public,” it said.

“The guiding principle of charity law in terms of campaigning, political activity and elections is that charities must be, and must be seen to be, independent of party politics.”

A series of high-profile unionists had warned the then incoming UUP leader Steve Aiken that by not standing aside in North Belfast, he risked handing DUP MP Nigel Dodds’ seat to Sinn Fein.

Mr Aiken had said he intended to run candidates in all 18 constituencies to give unionist voters a choice between his Remain-focused party and the pro-Brexit DUP.

His party later stood aside in North Belfast.

Those behind the letter outlined their “strong opposition” to any splitting of the unionist vote in the constituency.

It was signed by 25 people including unionist politicians, Orange Order members and others who said they were part of various residents’ groups.

One signatory said he was part of the British Legion.

The British Legion distanced itself from the letter, saying it was a non-party political organisation and was investigating the “misuse” of its name.

Yesterday’s Irish News reported that some of the organisations named on the letter were reprimanded.

The Charity Commission confirmed it had contacted nine organisations and offered them the opportunity to take remedial action.

It said charities had to avoid appearing to support political parties or politicians or favouring them.

It gave them until November 18 to familiarise themselves with guidance, to confirm that any posts which breached the guidelines had been removed and to make sure all staff were aware of the obligations.

The Charity Commission added: “The commission refutes allegations it is acting in a political manner.

“This case came to our attention as it involved charities being named in the most public manner possible — published in a daily newspaper.

“The action taken is in line with our values of proportionality, impartiality and independence, and is in keeping with action taken in other cases that have come to our attention where a charity has acted in breach of the campaigning guidance, regardless of what section of the community it may be associated with.”