A tribunal has rejected an appeal from a pro-conversion therapy group whose attempt to register as a charity was rejected, after ruling that it had a “political purpose”.
A ruling from the charity tribunal this week upheld the Charity Commission’s decision that the International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counselling Choice (IFTCC) should not be granted charitable status after reaching the conclusion that it “undoubtedly had a political purpose”.
The IFTCC is a London-based organisation that describes itself as supporting providers who help “sexually discordant heterosexuals” who are experiencing “unwanted relational and sexual behaviours, attractions and patterns, or are confused with their gender or wish to de-transition”.
‘Substantial risk’ of non-charitable activity
The group first applied for charitable status in December 2023, but was refused by the regulator on the grounds that its purposes or objects were “not exclusively charitable or for the public benefit”.
The IFTCC subsequently appealed to the charity tribunal against the decision last September, with the case being heard in March.
The group then claimed that the regulator’s refusal to register it as a charity violated its rights under the European Convention on Human Rights.
The tribunal judgment ruled that the IFTCC did not address concerns that there was a “substantial risk” that it would “engage in non-charitable activity mixed in with some charitable activity”.
The ruling also noted that there was “no doubt” that the IFTCC had a “political purpose” and therefore could not be seen to have “exclusively charitable purposes”.
It added: “Having found that the appellant undoubtedly had a political purpose, the only conclusion the tribunal could arrive at was that the appellant failed to meet the test to attract charitable status.
“The tribunal accepts the submission made on behalf of the respondent [the Charity Commission] that the decision under appeal does not unlawfully interfere with any protected rights and is consistent with charity law.
“Further, the tribunal accepted the submission of the respondent that the decision under appeal, even if an ECHR article was engaged, is not unlawful interference with such right.”
Charity Commission: Statutory test ‘vital’ for public trust
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “To get registered charity status organisations must show how they meet the requirements set in law.
“This is vital to underpinning public trust and confidence in charity.
“In this case, the courts agreed with our assessment that this organisation did not meet the charitable purpose tests and will not be registered.”
Civil Society has contacted the IFTCC for comment.
Related articles
