'Gag clause' stopping charities from speaking out about crime

COMMUNITY GROUPS FEAR THEY WON'T GET FUNDING IF THEY CRITICISE POLICING

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

Commissioner Gary Godden

(Gary Godden)

COMMUNITY groups and charities that receive funding from Nottinghamshire’s police boss must agree to a “gag clause” banning them from publicly criticising the force.

At least 13 organisations across the county will be required to sign an agreement stating they will “not do anything that might undermine public trust in policing” before they receive a one-off grant from Police and Crime Commissioner Gary Godden.

The clause forms part of a wider funding agreement, which all charities must sign before being awarded the money. The funding is given to financially support the work the organisations do in reducing crime across Nottinghamshire.

The funding condition, sent in an email seen by the Post, requires the local groups to confirm they will “consult and coordinate with the PCC's communications and engagement team before any media or social media publication occurs”.

If the charities do not agree to the clause and overall funding agreement, they will not receive the money needed to continue their life changing work.

Believed to be sent to the community groups around late November, one charity spokesperson said they felt “gagged” by the unprecedented move, arguing that it bans the organisations from publicly sharing concerns around crime.