Refugee charity was victim of 'misinformation'

A refugee charity that was accused of encouraging children to send Valentine's Day cards to adult asylum seekers has been cleared of wrongdoing by a regulator.

City of Sanctuary UK, which is registered to an office in Leeds, received complaints of misconduct and "political activity" after it sent heart-shaped welcome messages to asylum charities.

However the Charity Commission found that children did not write messages to individuals - instead, they were only displayed in schools and at various centres.

A charity spokesperson said: "While it is disappointing our integrity was called into question, we welcome this clear outcome."

The investigation also ruled the City of Sanctuary UK's approach to educational activities was permissable as it did not need to be "completely value-free".

The charity also acted within its "registered purpose" as an organisation that supports asylum seekers and refugees and had faced an "online misinformation campaign" over the Valentine's message claims.

The charity's trustees were also threatened, the regulator found.

Helen Earner, director of regulatory services at the Charity Commission, said: "We speak out when charities fall short of their legal responsibilities, but we also have a role in affirming the right of charities to further their purposes within the law, even where some may strongly disagree with their views.

"While we can't fact check every concern about every charity, sometimes the high profile of allegations means it is right for us to set the record straight where allegations cannot be substantiated."

She added: "After examining the available evidence, we found the claims to be misleading, and that the Schools of Sanctuary programme is within the charity's purposes and complies with our guidance on campaigning and political activity."

The City of Sanctuary UK spokesperson added: "The misinformation campaign we were subject to had a real impact on our team and the schools we work with, and we are grateful that the Commission recognised this as part of its review."

They added: "We will continue our work with focus and confidence, supporting communities across the UK to build welcome, support and opportunity for people seeking sanctuary."

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