The Charity Commission, the UK's regulator for charities, has launched an assessment into concerns raised about a briefing published by Amnesty International UK Charitable Trust. The probe follows a complaint after the organization labeled Beira's Place, a rape support center co-founded by author J.K. Rowling, as 'anti-rights'.
Rowling expressed her anger over the designation of Beira's Place, which provides support to women victims of sexual abuse. The center, established amid controversy regarding the transgender chief executive of Rape Crisis Edinburgh, has reportedly threatened legal action against Amnesty International.
Rowling herself indicated she would file a complaint with the Charity Commission, which has now confirmed it is investigating the matter. A spokesperson for the Charity Commission stated that they are "assessing the matters raised to determine what, if any, role there might be for us as charity law regulator." The organization has also submitted a serious incident report as per guidance.
Amnesty International UK operates with two distinct legal entities: a charitable trust and a limited company, each governed by its own board.
Meanwhile, Sex Matters, an organization that supported nurse Sandie Peggie in a case against NHS Fife, has also written to the Charity Commission's chief executive. Sex Matters stated that "the commission should stand up against the culture of intolerance and discrimination towards people who express ordinary, lawful beliefs that has taken hold across the sector, and which has been demonstrated in the Amnesty reports."
Kemi Badenoch, a UK Conservative Party leader, voiced her support for Rowling, For Women Scotland, and Sex Matters, describing them as individuals "who are pro-women’s rights" and have "fought for women’s rights in the face of immense attacks and defamation." She added, "These are proud British and Scottish women. They’re not going to be pushed around by anybody - definitely not silly people in Amnesty International who don’t know what they’re talking about."
An Amnesty spokesperson acknowledged awareness of the report to the Charity Commission and stated they are "engaging constructively with the process." The organization also confirmed that it will not be republishing the briefing.