Stone King Partner quoted by Civil Society on the involvement of charity employees in politics

Rosamund McCarthy Etherington, Stone King Partner and joint Head of the firm’s charity sector, has been quoted in a Civil Society article discussing whether charity leaders are able to run as political party candidates.

The article cites the recent example of Laura Kyrke-Smith, who is the Executive Director of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and is now standing as Aylesbury’s new Labour candidate.

In her comment, Rosamund acknowledged the fact that there is much precedent for MPs having close connections to charities outside their political duties.

“Some of the factors to take into account include ensuring that the charity remains independent, not using work time or resources on party political activity, and agreeing any reasonable risk mitigations in relation to communications and social media.” Rosamund added that there “has also been more recent case law on the ability for employees to engage in political activity being a protected philosophical belief”.

The piece also references guidance from the Charity Commission on charities, elections and referendums, which adds that charities must be “wary of associating or becoming associated in the minds of the public with a particular candidate or political party”.

Read the full article, titled ‘Charity leader selected as Labour Party candidate’.