Charity hits back at probe over Reform link claim

Allegations that a charity allowed its premises to be used for political campaigning for Reform UK are being assessed by the sector's watchdog.

The Charity Commission has said it is looking at claims that soup kitchen Amazing Grace in Blackpool hired out a room upstairs that was used for campaigning by the party, for which the charity's founder Mark Butcher has stood in elections.

Amazing Grace - which faced complaints to the Charity Commission two years ago when it shared on Facebook photos of Butcher with Reform leader Richard Tice - said hiring out a room did not indicate political affiliation.

Butcher said the complaint was "another move by political opponents to discredit me".

Butcher added that it was "really unfair to a charity which is doing good work to help homeless and vulnerable people in our community".

Charity Commission guidance states charities can take part in political activity which "supports their purpose and is in their best interests".

However, it adds charities "must remain independent and must not give their support to a political party".

A spokesman for the Charity Commission said: "We have previously engaged with the charity on political engagement and that will be considered in our assessment of these concerns."

A spokesperson for Amazing Graze said the charity had received no direct complaints about its facilities being used for political purposes.

They added: "Our purpose is to support vulnerable individuals and families within our community, regardless of their background, beliefs or political affiliations."

The spokesperson said it operated as a community hub, providing facilities that are available for "straight forward and transparent" hire at a cost of £20 to £25.

"At no point during that conversation did the Charity Commission tell us that we could not rent out space within our building," the spokesperson said, adding the arrangement was comparable with hotels, churches and community hubs hiring out a function room, including as polling stations during elections.

"We are concerned that attempts to associate our charity with political activity simply because an external organisation may have hired a room could ultimately affect the vulnerable people who depend on our services," the spokesperson added.

Butcher stood against Labour's Chris Webb in Blackpool South in 2024, receiving 10,068 votes to Webb's winning 16, 919.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.