The chair of the Charity Commission Orlando Fraser spoke out online. 

The chair of The Charity Commission for England and Wales has said charities must never stray into party politics, ahead of the looming general election. 

Orlando Fraser KC wrote in a blog for the government department that organisations should stick to using passionate, emotive and direct messaging to criticise political policies. 

The chairman said groups should “not allow your organisation to be used as a vehicle for the expression of the party-political views of any individual”, urging them to protect their reputations. 

He wrote in a blog post: “I will not allow the Commission to be misused or weaponised by any particular side of the public debate, whether it be by politicians, the media, or indeed the sector itself.

“As trustees and charity leaders you must protect your charity’s reputation and not allow your organisation to be used as a vehicle for the expression of the party-political views of any individual trustee, employee, political party, or candidate.

“This does not mean avoiding criticism of political parties’ policies, and it does not mean that you have to avoid passionate, emotive or direct messaging – but you should remain focused on the issues relevant to your charity and avoid character attacks.”