PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Culture, Media and Sport - 18 June 2026 (Commons/Written Corrections)

… I acknowledge the contribution of my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry). She is not alone; the Charity Commission itself and several commentators, many of whom she mentioned, have long expressed the view that there is a strong conflict of interest in the majority of the hall’s trustees being seat holders, because they are sometimes acting in their own financial interests instead of the charity’s best interests, which is against the rules and regulations of the Charity Commission.

[Official Report, 15 June 2026; Vol. 787, c. 646.]

Written correction submitted by the Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts (Ian Murray):

… I acknowledge the contribution of my right hon. Friend the Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry). She is not alone; the Charity Commission itself and several commentators, many of whom she mentioned, have long expressed the view that there is a strong conflict of interest in the majority of the hall’s trustees being seat holders, because they could act in their own financial interests instead of the charity’s best interests, which would be against the rules and regulations of the Charity Commission.