Charity Commission satisfied RSPB has changed its ways following social media abuse of Cabinet ministers

                                              

The RSPB's HQ - The Lodge in Sandy, Bedfordshire. Chief executive Beccy Speight, who works from her home in Nottinghamshire, was not made aware un advance  of the abusive social message posted by a colleague, so she quickly apologised on BBC Radio 4  

THE Charity Commission says it has now closed its probe into the RSPB over the charity's   controversial  party political activity on social media.

It states: "Last year, we opened a regulatory compliance case into the RSPB after a six-part thread was posted on X (formerly Twitter) stating that named former ministers were ‘Liars’. 

"Charities should not be afraid to use their voice passionately to campaign for causes they represent, but they should always be acting in its best interests and must not be party political.

"It was important we took steps to ensure this did not happen again, particularly ahead of a General Election."

The statement continues: "We found that the tone and nature of RSPB’s post was inappropriate and had not been signed off at the appropriate level within the charity. 

"More could have been done to ensure internal policies and procedures were followed. 

"However, in July 2024,  we closed our case noting that the charity’s trustees had taken sufficient remedial action. 

"This included the charity issuing an immediate public apology, carrying out an independent investigation and implementing changes to strengthen internal policies with use of Commission guidance.

"We received no concerns about the RSPB during the General Election period."

The Commission  has also taken the opportunity to outline its approach to charities’ use of social media in campaigning.

It says: "Charities may use social media as part of their campaigning and political activity on issues that relate to their specific charitable purposes. 

"Social media can be an effective way to reach current and prospective supporters.

"However, the same rules apply online - charities cannot be party political and should take care to consider any risks of their social media campaigning activity that could negatively impact their charity’s reputation.

"This includes personal attacks or inflammatory rhetoric. 

"The Commission expects charities to engage in public discourse in a way that promotes respect, tolerance and consideration for others.

"All charities should take care to ensure they are aware of and follow our social media, campaigning, and political activity guidance."

It is believed that the individual responsible for posting the online insult has now left the RSPB to work for another charity.