Britain to tighten charities laws to tackle terrorism funding

David Cameron
David Cameron
British Prime Minister David Cameron will announce plans to tighten the law to help stop charities being used as a front to raise funds for terrorist groups.

Several individuals convicted of terrorism offences in Britain had raised funds in public, purportedly for charitable purposes, the majority of which the charities never received, the government said.

Three British Islamists jailed last year for planning mass suicide attacks had tried to fund their plot by posing as street collectors for the Muslim Aid charity organisation, raising £12,000.

The planned new powers include banning those who have criminal convictions, such as for terrorism offences or money laundering, from being a charity trustee.

The Charities Commission, a regulatory body which earlier this year asked the government for more funding and powers to tackle abuse in the sector, will be given the authority to disqualify trustees it considers unfit and to shut down a charity where there has been mismanagement.

"I want us to confront the menace of extremism and those who want to tear us apart," Cameron said in a statement. "Today's changes will help make sure that when people donate to charity, their money always goes to genuinely good causes."

Cameron, due to chair a meeting of the government's Extremism Taskforce on Wednesday (local time), will also announce an extra  £8 million of funding for the Charity Commission to help it combat a range of abuses including terror financing, tax avoidance and fraud.

 

Add a Comment

Our journalists are your neighbours

We are the South's eyes and ears in crucial council meetings, at court hearings, on the sidelines of sporting events and on the frontline of breaking news.

As our region faces uncharted waters in the wake of a global pandemic, Otago Daily Times continues to bring you local stories that matter.

We employ local journalists and photographers to tell your stories, as other outlets cut local coverage in favour of stories told out of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

You can help us continue to bring you local news you can trust by becoming a supporter.

Become a Supporter