Charity Commission for England and Wales, “Charity Inquiry: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain”

Charity Commission for England and Wales, “Charity Inquiry: Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Britain”

4 August 2023 · Background; Findings; Conclusions · Charity Commission (gov.uk)

“is not the organisation that is currently directly responsible for the safety of JW beneficiaries, including children”

The Commission's conclusion about Watch Tower Britain (charity 1077961) after a nine-year inquiry (opened 27 May 2014, report 4 August 2023). The inquiry found the charity had a role only in the 2011 policy; the current policy is 'a global policy used by JWs across the world' prepared at World Headquarters; responsibility passed to the Christian Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses (2011) and, after March 2022 mergers, the Kingdom Hall Trust. The charity's responses 'have not been as straightforward and as transparent as they should have been', though the Commission did 'not conclude that the trustees have deliberately failed to cooperate'. Litigation (judicial review 2014-2016; Supreme Court refused permission July 2016) 'substantially constrained inquiry progress'. An NSPCC review had found the 2013 policy 'at odds with UK legislation and guidance'.

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