Charity Commission announces statutory inquiry into Jamia Hanfia Ghosia Mosque

Press release

The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Jamia Hanfia Ghosia Mosque and Princess Street Resource Centre, over concerns about potential misconduct and/or mismanagement in the charity’s administration.

The charity was established to promote the Islamic religion and operates in Burton-on-Trent.

The regulator has been in contact with the trustees since March 2020 in efforts to address regulatory concerns and resolve a dispute about whether the current trustees were validly appointed. The ongoing dispute has had a negative impact on the charity’s governance and administration and its beneficiaries and has resulted in many members of the community not accessing the charity’s services.

The Commission issued the charity with an action plan which outlined the timeframe and steps required to ensure an election was held by 31 March 2022. The charity’s failure to implement the action plan and hold an election by the advised date has contributed to the Commission’s decision to escalate its engagement with the charity to an inquiry. The inquiry will examine:

  • The administration, governance, and management of the charity and whether or not its trustees have complied with, and are fulfilling their duties and responsibilities under charity law, in particular by examining the ongoing attempts to regularise the charity’s governance and trustee board through an open and fair election.
  • Whether and to what extent there has been misconduct or mismanagement in the administration of the charity by the trustees

The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional issues emerge.

It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were.

Reports of previous inquiries are available on GOV.UK.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

  1. The Charity Commission is the independent, non-ministerial government department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales. Its purpose is to ensure charity can thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.

Published 26 April 2022



Written Ministerial Statement on Secretary of State’s ‘minded to’ intervene decision in the acquisition by Newsquest of Archant

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has today written to Newsquest Media Group and Archant Community Media, to inform them that I am ‘minded to’ issue an Intervention Notice. This relates to concerns I have that there may be public interest considerations – as set out in section 58 of Enterprise Act 2002 – that are relevant to the recent acquisition of Archant Media by Newsquest Media and that these concerns warrant further investigation.

A ‘minded to’ letter has therefore been issued to the parties on one public interest ground specified in section 58 of the Enterprise Act 2002:

(2B) The need for, to the extent that it is reasonable and practicable, a sufficient plurality of views in newspapers in each market for newspapers in the United Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom

It is important to note that I have not taken a final decision on intervention at this stage. In line with the statutory guidance on media mergers, the ‘minded to’ letter invites further representations in writing from the parties and gives them until 29 April to respond. I will then make my final decision, which needs to be made on a quasi-judicial basis, on whether to issue an Intervention Notice.

If I decide to issue an Intervention Notice, the next stage would be for Ofcom to assess and report to me on the public interest concerns and for the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) to assess and report to me on whether a relevant merger situation has been created and any impact this may have on competition. Following these reports, I will decide whether to refer the matter for a more detailed investigation by the CMA under section 45 of the Enterprise Act 2002.

I will keep Parliament updated on progress with this media merger case.



Innovating for a better future: Intellectual property and youth

This year, the World IP Day focus is on intellectual property and youth. The theme is ‘innovating for a better future’. We recognise how young people around the world are stepping up to the challenge of innovation. Through their energy, ingenuity, curiosity and creativity, they are helping steer a course towards a better future.

Our New Education Framework

To mark World IP Day, we are highlighting our new IP Education Framework toolkit. Young people are the innovators, creators and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. As such, it is our responsibility to equip them with IP knowledge.

We have developed the IP in Education tool with input from teachers, industry and professional bodies. It will help young people to learn about IP in contexts that are relevant to them. The knowledge will show them how to identify, protect, use, and respect IP. The resources are designed for primary school to higher education and research level.

IPO CEO, Tim Moss, said:

I see young people as having the gift of imagination without limits. I’m delighted that our IP in Education Framework will help grow their understanding of IP as an asset for life. This will help to secure their future and make life better for all.

Reaching out for a Cracking Idea

Young people are fantastic creators and innovators. In a fun, challenging and educational way, we want to impress on them the importance of IP in protecting their ideas.

On World IP Day we’re highlighting some of the ways we engage with young people. We take a look at some of our resources and the immersive experiences we take to STEM events for schools. We also spotlight some of the most ingenious ideas we’ve come across in our flagship national Cracking Ideas competition. Read about it in our IPO blog.

Celebrating together

The IPO has worked with other IP offices to contribute to a video created by the European Patent Office CocoNet network. It features young inventors, designers and trade mark owners under the age of 30, and celebrates youth and innovation. Short film clips discuss how young people contribute to global innovation.

The video is called ‘Youth are the innovators and creators of tomorrow’.

One IPO – transforming to be fit for the future

We want to encourage more young people to unleash the potential of their innovative ideas. We want to encourage them to start businesses and create things they are passionate about. The One IPO Transformation Programme is building better IP services that meet the needs of future generations.

In the build-up to World IP Day, we have been highlighting some of the work we’re doing through our One IPO Transformation programme. One young Transformation team member looks at how we are reimagining our services programme and building an IP Office fit for the future.



Change of Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Cambodia: Dominic Williams

Press release

Mr Dominic Williams MBE has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Mr Dominic Williams MBE

Mr Dominic Williams MBE has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia in succession to Ms Tina Redshaw. Mr Williams will take up his appointment during August 2022.

Full name: Dominic Williams MBE

Partner: Nilma Dole-Williams

Children: Two

2021 – present Full Time Language Training (Khmer)
2017 to 2020 Abuja, Political Counsellor
2014 to 2017 Lima, Deputy Head of Mission & Consul General
2013 Full-Time Language training (Spanish)
2011 to 2013 FCO, Head, Syria Team, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
2008 to 2011 Colombo, Second Secretary, Political and Public Diplomacy
2006 to 2007 FCO, Consular Strategy Officer, Consular Directorate
2005 to 2006 FCO, UN Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Officer, International Security Directorate

Published 26 April 2022



Letters from the Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner April 2022

The Biometrics and Surveillance Camera Commissioner, Professor Fraser Sampson, writes to the Minister for the Cabinet Office and Cabinet Secretary on 21 April 2022 regarding human rights and security issues in public procurement of surveillance technology.

The commissioner also writes to the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 22 April 2022 regarding human rights and security issues in public procurement of surveillance technology.

Note: references to ‘Common Home Affairs Committee’ should read ‘Foreign Affairs Committee’.