The Islamic Centre of England, a London-based charity accused of links to the Iranian regime, retains its Home Office licence to sponsor migrant workers to the UK, despite being under investigation by the Charity Commission. The revelation has prompted calls for the Home Secretary to revoke its visa sponsorship status.
Charity under investigation
The Charity Commission is investigating the Islamic Centre of England over alleged ties to the Iranian government. As part of the inquiry, the charity was required to remove governance rules that mandated its board of trustees include a religious representative of Iran's supreme leader.
The centre has also faced scrutiny over events it hosted. Last year it was reported to the Charity Commission after a “community bazaar” allegedly featured pro-Iranian regime merchandise, including Hezbollah-themed phone cases, key rings and stickers bearing the silhouette of Gen Qassim Soleimani, the former commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps who was killed in a US air strike in 2020. Following Soleimani's death, the centre held a candlelit vigil in his honour.
Visa sponsor licence retained
Despite the controversy, the centre remains on the Home Office’s official register of licensed sponsors, allowing it to issue certificates of sponsorship for overseas “skilled workers” and religious ministers to apply for visas. It has successfully used this power to bring migrants to Britain.
The development comes amid heightened tensions between the UK and Iran, with security experts warning about the risk of hostile state activity and concerns that Tehran could seek to increase its influence in Britain.
Reaction and defence
Lord Walney, the former government adviser on political violence, said it was “alarming” that the organisation retained the right to sponsor visas. He told The Telegraph: “Given its history of controversy and status under ongoing investigation, it is alarming that the Islamic Centre of England is a registered visa sponsor. The Home Secretary seems to have inherited this completely unacceptable situation. She should urgently review the centre's status and look to tighten up the criteria to ensure the immigration system is protected.”
The Islamic Centre of England rejected suggestions that it acts on behalf of the Iranian state. A spokesman said: “The centre is not an official office or representative of any government, political entity, or individual. Like many charities, faith organisations and other eligible institutions in the UK, the centre holds a Home Office sponsor licence, which allows it to sponsor skilled workers where it meets the requirements of the UK's immigration system. We recognise that questions have previously been raised about the centre and its perceived relationship with the Iranian government. The centre has consistently maintained that it is an independent UK charity and carries out its activities in accordance with UK law and its charitable objectives.”
The Home Office has not announced any plans to revoke the centre's sponsor licence while the Charity Commission's investigation remains ongoing.
