Written Question: Free Speech for Charity Trustees

Lord Moylan: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the recent case of Gary Mond, what steps they are taking to ensure that the Charity Commission is respecting the right to free speech.

(Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Baroness Twycross): The Charity Commission’s role as the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales is to ensure that charity trustees comply with their duties as set out in charity law. The Charity Commission has published guidance for trustees on the use of social media and managing the risks for charities.

The Charity Commission notes the Tribunal’s judgment in this recent case, and is considering what lessons can be applied to future casework.