Offenders to face charity jobs ban

SEX offenders and terrorists will be banned from running charities under plans to improve public trust in Scotland’s third sector.

Currently, anyone on the sex offenders’ register or with unspent convictions for terrorism, perjury, misconduct in public office or perverting the course of justice can be named a trustee of a charity.

But yesterday the Scottish Government announced a bid to drive criminals out of the third sector – as part of a wider move to make charities more accountable and improve public trust.

It comes following recently revealed sex scandals at Oxfam and Save the Children UK.

Ministers have begun a consultation setting out a series of proposals, such as forcing all charities to publish annual accounts and reports, including personal details of all trustees.

They believe this could help boost public confidence after a survey found 88 per cent of Scots would trust charities more if they could see how donations were spent.

The Government is seeking to bring Scotland’s charity laws in line with those elsewhere in the UK.

This would see legislation automatically disqualifying people convicted of certain crimes, including those already mentioned, as well as money laundering and bribery.

A Rape Crisis Scotland spokesman said: ‘Sex offenders can be very manipulative about gaining access to potential future victims.

‘We support the proposed new measures to ensure they are disqualified as trustees of charities.’

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: ‘It is important we do all we can to maintain and increase public trust and confidence in the charity sector.

‘I would encourage anyone with an interest in the charity sector to respond to this consultation.’