Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will provide a list of the specific terrorism-related offences that currently trigger an automatic disqualification from serving as a charity trustee or in senior management positions within a charity under the Charities Act 2011; and whether they have plans to align the disqualification criteria for seeking elected public office with these existing standards.

This question was answered on 26th February 2026

The list of specified offences that trigger automatic disqualification from serving as a charity trustee is available under section 178A of the Charities Act 2011:

Case A: specified offences

(1) The following offences are specified for the purposes of Case A—

1. An offence to which Part 4 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 applies (see sections 41 to 43 of that Act).

2. An offence under section 13 or 19 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (wearing of uniform etc, and failure to disclose information).

3. A money laundering offence within the meaning of section 415 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

4. An offence under any of the following provisions of the Bribery Act 2010—

section 1 (bribing another person),

section 2 (offences relating to being bribed),

section 6 (bribery of foreign public officials),

section 7 (failure of commercial organisations to prevent bribery).

5. An offence under section 77 of this Act.

6. An offence of—

misconduct in public office,

perjury,

perverting the course of justice.

(2) An offence which has been superseded (directly or indirectly) by an offence specified in subsection (1) is also specified for the purposes of Case A.

(3) In relation to an offence specified in subsection (1) or (2), the following offences are also specified for the purposes of Case A—

1. an offence of attempt, conspiracy or incitement to commit the offence;

2. an offence of aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring the commission of the offence;

3. an offence under Part 2 of the Serious Crime Act 2007 (encouraging or assisting) in relation to the offence.

(4)

(4) The Secretary of State may amend this section by regulations to add or remove an offence

In relation to terrorism-related offences, this includes an unspent conviction for an offence to which Part 4 of the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 applies; or an offence under section 13 or 19 of the Terrorism Act 2000.

The Government has no plans to change the disqualification criteria for standing as a candidate in UK general elections or membership of the House of Commons beyond the criteria currently set out in the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 and the Representation of the People’s Act 1981.