Iran-Linked Charity Keeps UK Visa Powers Despite Regime Ties

A London-based charity, the Islamic Centre of England, remains on the Home Office’s register of licensed sponsors, allowing it to bring “skilled workers” and religious ministers to Britain. This is despite the charity being under active investigation by the Charity Commission over alleged close ties to the Iranian regime, as reported by GB News.

A Sponsorship Scandal Unfurls

The Islamic Centre of England (ICE), located in Maida Vale, continues to possess the authority to sponsor foreign nationals for UK visas. This power, granted by the Home Office, enables the charity to issue certificates of sponsorship, a crucial step for overseas “skilled workers” and religious ministers seeking to enter the United Kingdom. The revelation comes amidst heightened concerns regarding foreign influence and the integrity of Britain’s immigration system.

Critics are aghast that an organisation subject to such serious allegations of links to a hostile state like Iran still holds such a sensitive privilege. The Home Office has confirmed that while the ICE has not sponsored any workers since 2022, its licence remains active. This stance has only intensified calls for immediate action from Whitehall.

Under Investigation, Yet Untouched

The Charity Commission launched a statutory inquiry into the Islamic Centre of England in November 2022, citing “serious governance concerns.” This investigation was partly prompted by the charity’s constitutional requirement that a religious representative of Iran’s supreme leader be appointed to its board of trustees – a provision it was later forced to remove. The centre has also faced condemnation for hosting a vigil in honour of Qassem Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, following his assassination in 2020.

“Given its history of controversy and status under ongoing investigation, it is alarming that the Islamic Centre of England is a registered visa sponsor.”

— Lord Walney, Former Government Adviser on Political Violence, The Telegraph

Lord Walney, a former government independent adviser on political violence, has publicly voiced his dismay, stating it is “alarming” that the ICE retains its visa sponsorship rights. His comments underscore the growing unease within political circles about the government’s apparent inaction.

The Charity’s Defence and Whitehall’s Stance

The Islamic Centre of England has consistently denied acting on behalf of the Iranian state. A spokesman for the charity maintained that it is “not an official office or representative of any government, political entity, or individual.” They argue that, like many other eligible institutions, they hold a Home Office sponsor licence to facilitate the immigration of skilled workers, operating within the UK’s immigration system.

The Home Office, for its part, has stated it treats threats from the Iranian regime “with the utmost seriousness.” However, it has so far declined to revoke the ICE’s licence, indicating that such action would only follow if wrongdoing is proven by the Charity Commission’s ongoing investigation. This cautious approach is seen by many as a dangerous delay, potentially compromising national security.

• The Islamic Centre of England (ICE) is based in Maida Vale, London.
• It holds a Home Office licence to sponsor ‘skilled workers’ and religious ministers.
• The Charity Commission launched an inquiry into ICE in November 2022.
• ICE was forced to remove a constitutional clause linking it to Iran’s Supreme Leader.
• The centre held a vigil for Iranian General Qassem Soleimani in 2020.
• Lord Walney described the situation as “alarming.”

This ongoing saga exposes a glaring vulnerability in the UK’s regulatory framework, allowing organisations with alleged hostile state ties to operate with significant immigration powers. The public demands decisive action, not bureaucratic inertia, to safeguard national interests.

Source: GB News | Breaking Brexit News