Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions they have had with the Charity Commission about reports of alleged links to Iran of (a) the Abrar Islamic Foundation, and (b) Dar Alhekma.

The Government takes very seriously any alleged links between a charity and extremism or terrorism and will respond robustly to evidence of wrongdoing.

While we cannot comment on individual cases, the promotion of extremist views or terrorism in charities is unacceptable. The Charity Commission is alive to the risks of state threats to the charity sector and works with other agencies to protect the sector from the risks of being exploited.

The Charity Commission has consistently been clear that it will respond robustly where there proves to have been wrongdoing and I am confident that it has the ability to do so effectively. They have a range of powers at their disposal including freezing bank accounts, directing trustees to take corrective action, or disqualifying trustees, and will do so as appropriate.

The Charity Commission has published guidance that explains in which circumstances a report about serious wrongdoing should be made, which details should be provided, and what it will do after receiving a report.

Ministers and officials regularly meet with the Charity Commission to discuss a range of issues relating to the regulation of charities.