A regulator has not opened a statutory inquiry into a charity behind a TV station which has promoted Islamist extremism despite receiving five complaints about it, the National Secular Society can reveal.
The Charity Commission for England and Wales has not opened any statutory inquiries into Islamic Research Foundation International (IRFI), which finances the channel Peace TV, since at least 2010.
Last month Peace TV was taken off air after the broadcasting regulator Ofcom ruled that one of its programmes had incited murder of those who practise "magic".
In response to an NSS freedom of information request, the commission has now said it has received five complaints about IRFI in the last nine years – but has not opened any statutory inquiries into it.
The NSS submitted one of the complaints about IRFI in November 2018. The complaint raised concerns that Peace TV and one of its speakers – Dr Zakir Naik, who was also a trustee of IRFI – had promoted extremist views, including by praising Osama bin Laden. [National Secular Society] Read more
