Charities’ struggles to protect their staff and deliver their work in the face of unwarranted attacks and hatred are profoundly worrying (UK charities say toxic immigration rhetoric leading to threats against staff, 13 October). Charities have championed the welfare of those who are vulnerable and ostracised, for centuries. That endeavour is vital not just to our civil society, but to our self-respect as a civilised nation.

The Charity Commission will defend and protect the right – and indeed the responsibility – of charities to deliver on their lawful purposes. Over recent weeks, I have met with a wide range of charities, including a group of charities working with refugees and migrants, to hear about the challenges they are facing.

I was disturbed by the measures some need to take simply to protect staff and their families from harm, including death threats, and to prevent and respond to criminal damage to property. Charities are not above the law, and their work should be open to scrutiny and rational debate. But nobody should face this kind of abhorrent abuse while doing their job.

The commission takes seriously each and every concern that is raised with us – that is our duty and our promise to the public. But we will make short shrift of complaints that seek to weaponise charities to further political ends that have nothing to do with the charity law framework. And we will support trustees as they take measures to keep themselves, and their staff and volunteers safe from harm.
Mark Simms
Interim chair, Charity Commission