The Charity Commission has concluded its regulatory compliance case into a Scientology-linked addiction charity with “shortfalls that amount to conduct and/or mismanagement”, according to reports from the Observer.
Narconon UK, which runs a private drug and alcohol addiction rehab facility in rural East Sussex, has been ordered by the regulator to address its shortcomings after a nine-month investigation by the Observer alleged that the charity was in breach of charity law and had issues with its management.
The commission said that Narconon UK, which is the UK branch of a worldwide network of Narconon rehab centres, must be more “transparent” about its work and links to the Church of Scientology.
Narconon UK continues to dispute a number of claims in the Observer reporting.
Observer investigation led to regulatory action
The compliance case came after the Observer’s investigation which revealed how potentially vulnerable people seeking help for issues with drug and alcohol addiction at Narconon’s Heathfield facility were allegedly subjected to psychological drills similar to those used in Scientology’s “auditing” process.
Some people reportedly suffered extreme reactions to these drills, including paranoia, breakdowns and “trance-like states”, according to ex-patients and staff.
The Observer also uncovered evidence of the charity downplaying its ties to the Church of Scientology.
One month after the conclusion of the Observer’s investigation, in March of this year, the Charity Commission announced that it would open a regulatory compliance case into Narconon UK.
Commission investigation uncovers mismanagement
Although the commission has a limited role in investigating safeguarding issues, its case examined Narconon UK’s compliance with charity law as well as its governance, management and administration; safeguarding policies; and links to third parties.
This investigation made two findings of “misconduct and/or mismanagement” related to failures to ensure the minimum number of trustees were in place and submit the charity’s annual accounts and reports on time.
The regulator has since provided Narconon’s trustees with an action plan, demanding more transparency about the charity’s links to Scientology and the nature and effectiveness of its work.
Relationship between other Narconon branches
A commission spokesperson told Civil Society: “We have now concluded our compliance case into Narconon UK after thoroughly reviewing all evidence available to us, and meeting with the charity’s trustees.
“We examined the charity’s governance, management and administration, its safeguarding policies and its links to third parties. Our case identified shortfalls that amount to misconduct and/ or mismanagement.
“We have issued the trustees with formal regulatory advice and guidance to address the issues and will follow up in six months’ time to review trustees’ progress in doing so.
“All charities must ensure they are transparent about the nature of their work and any connections to non-charitable organisations.
“This is particularly important when providing a service, so that potential beneficiaries can determine if it is the right one for them.”
Civil Society has also reached out to Narconon UK for further comment.
Editor’s note: This is a revised version of a story first published on 23 October containing new information and a revised statement from the Charity Commission.
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