“I don’t advertise in the UK,” he said. However, transparency data available through the Meta Ad Library and Google Ads Transparency Centre shows that several of his companies including Cardone Enterprises and Cardone Training Technologies, as well as his main page simply named ‘Grant Cardone’ have run over 300 ads targeting users in UK this year alone.

The ads appear across Google services and Meta’s social media apps such as Facebook and Instagram. After denying running ads in the UK, Cardone continued “Does one of my coaches advertise in the UK? I have coaches in 1330 countries.”

However, transparency data reveals his Meta ad account is managed by just 14 people, thirteen of whom are based in the United States and one in the United Arab Emirates.

Grant Cardone Training Technologies Inc, trading as ‘Grant Cardone’ fell foul of the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority in October 2025, after it found ads the company had run on social media were misleading. The complaint stated:

A paid-for Facebook post, dated May 21 2025 for 10X Business Live, an online business event by businessman Grant Cardone, included a video with a man who stated, “You’ve probably seen this guy all over your feed claiming he built a $5.5 million business in 90 days with no money, no social media and no name. Now, I understand this might sound unbelievable, but there’s a deeper story here […] He claims that all you need to grow a business in 2024 is the 7-Step Formula. It all makes perfect sense after listening to his viewpoint”. The video then featured Grant Cardone who stated, “[…] I said give me 90 days and I’ll build $1,000,000 business. Well in truth I’ve built a $5,5000,000 business with no money, couldn’t use my contacts, took on a new identity, that faked everybody out, and built a $5,5000,000 business in 90 days. And I’m telling you, you can do this too. I did this to prove to people that you don’t need time, you don’t need money and you don’t need a name, but you do need a strategy […] What I want to do today is I want to give you the strategy. It’s taken me 45 years to figure this out. Nobody gave this to me, I want to share this with you and some of you are going to do nothing with it, cost you nothing by the way, some of you will do nothing with it and some of you will turn this into millions, tens of millions. Maybe somebody will see this, use this and become a billionaire because of it. I’m doing this right now for free. I will not keep it for free for long […] This will be the last time you see it for free and I want to share it with you for free. Exactly what you could do to get from poverty to financial freedom, to get from making excuses about time and money to having all the time and money that you want. It’s possible…”. 
 
The caption stated, “Grant Cardone’s 7-Step Formula for Scaling In Any Economic Condition. Grant’s new training reveals the exact system he used to grow from $2 million to over $700 million  a formula that works regardless of market conditions. As someone who follows Grant, you know his business has thrived through multiple economic cycles. Register now for this $5,000 value training – completely FREE when you secure your seat today. Without these principles your business remains vulnerable to economic shifts and market volatility – while others who implement this system continue scaling regardless of conditions. Click the “Learn more” button below and secure your FREE seat now”. 

Advertising Standards Authority

In response to the complaint, the company said the Discovery Channel documented Grant Cardone’s successes and could be viewed on the TV show “Undercover Billionaire: Season 2”. According to the ASA, they said in the ad, Grant was just sharing his experience on that show and how he achieved the challenge, and for those who would like to know what he did, they could do so for free on the training. They also clarified that they had removed the ad. 

The ASA upheld the complaint, ruling:

The CAP Code stated that marketing communications must not materially mislead or be likely to do so. 
 
The ad claimed that Grant Cardone built a $5,5000,000 business with no money in 90 days and that users who undertook the training would have the opportunity to learn the strategy that enabled him to achieve those profits. 
 
We acknowledged the advertiser’s comment that Mr Cardone was sharing his experience from the TV show “Undercover Billionaire: Season 2” and that if the audience would like to know what he did to achieve those earnings they could undertake the training. However, we considered that the audience were likely to interpret the claims, “Well in truth I’ve built a $5,5000,000 business with no money, couldn’t use my contacts […] in 90 days. And I’m telling you, you can do this too”, “[…] you don’t need time, you don’t need money and you don’t need a name, but you do need a strategy […]” and that it “[…] works regardless of market conditions”  to mean that they could learn how to achieve the same earnings and lifestyle as described in the ad by following Grant Cardone’s 7-Step Formula regardless of their experience level and personal circumstances. However, we understood that was unlikely to be the case and had not received information from the advertiser to demonstrate otherwise. 
 
Because the ad implied the results were typical, and we understood that was not likely to be the case, we concluded that the ad was misleading. 
 
The ad breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 (Misleading Advertising) and 3.11 (Exaggeration). 

Advertising Standards Authority

Mr. Cardone recently shared the 14-hour deposition he was subjected to as part of ongoing litigation in the United States after a class action lawsuit was filed alleging he and his company Cardone Capital “made false or misleading statements and omitted important information” in connection to public offerings offered by their investment funds.

A website set up by law firm Gibbs Mura states:

According to a recently filed lawsuit, Cardone Capital and Grant Cardone targeted “everyday investors,” through social media. These solicitations were allegedly misleading to many investors. For example, the lawsuit complaint states that Grant Cardone assured investors through these solicitations that their investments would pay high monthly distributions and would return to investors at least two to three times their investment. He gave specific examples, as stated in the lawsuit complaint:

• Investing $100,000 would pay $500 in distributions monthly
• Investing $200,000 in the fund would result in a $660,000 “position” in the fund
• Investing $200,000 would allow investors to early $12,000-$15,000 in distributions a year
• The property investors invest in would triple in value in 5 to 7 years

However, according to the lawsuit, the actual distributions have been much less than these stated amounts. Further, the complaint states that Cardone had no reasonable basis for estimating investors’ distributions or the value of the property to be so high. As a result, these statements have been deemed false and misleading.

In the deposition, Mr. Cardone refused to answer questions relating to complaints made by his employees that allege their rights were violated by being asked to complete Scientology courses. He claimed the line of questioning was “irrelevant” and “offensive” and that his company does “not solicit funds in the UK” or advertise there. He continued, “Call the Courts and tell them I don’t want to answer questions about some bullshit UK claim that has nothing to do with me.”

Cardone Capital and Mr. Cardone deny the allegations.

The ASA’s ruling against Grant Cardone is the latest in several rulings made against Scientology-related companies. In 2021, Ben’s Gutters was found to be misleading the public with a flyer presenting the business as a local company despite operating nationally and in 2016, the regulator banned a television ad run by the Church after it was found to contain false statistics about the number of people helped by its social betterment programs.

The post Grant Cardone lies about UK advertising activities in deposition after falling foul of regulator first appeared on Scientology Business News - lawsuits, financial records and shell companies.

The controversial church’s Criminon front group, which it claims is a secular prison reform program has expanded its reach and is now delivering ‘educational courses’ based on the works of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard in 89 prisons throughout the UK. Although Scientology was denied tax exemption 1999, Criminon is a Gift-Aid registered charity that has been operating since 2003 and is now present in almost 70% of British prisons, including those housing the most dangerous ‘Category A’ offenders.

The program has also received funding from a number of well-established non-profits, including two Royal charities under the patronage of King Charles III. Philanthropic organisations linked to Cadbury’s, Typhoo Tea and heritage clothing label Barbour have also donated to Criminon, though it is understood its ties to Scientology were not known at the time of the grants being made.

Criminon has been described by former members of the church as “nothing but a PR activity run by dedicated Scientologists”, while the charity itself says its courses “equip prisoners with the life skills they need to stay on the straight and narrow.” It added their ties to Scientology are “well known to everyone we work with” and “only a bigot” would find fault with its relationship with the cult.

An investigation by Scientology Business has revealed that 1,513 inmates are currently enrolled on Criminon courses in the UK, with 120 ‘mentors’ teaching the program in 89 prisons across the country. Their latest accounts, published at the end of June, includes testimonials from graduates out of HMP Frankland, HMP Northumberland, HMP Bure, HMP Channings Wood, HMP Stafford, HMP Lindholme, HMP Dovegate, HMP Thameside and others.

One inmate is quoted as saying “Doing this course has helped massively with my confidence and self-esteem it has also helped me see things in a different light help me to understand and put things into action for my own personal development.”

Former Scientologist Pete Griffiths, who ran a Scientology Mission in Kendall, Cumbria in the 1990s, described Criminon as a “front group” and described how he was asked by church executives to infiltrate HMP Haverigg with the program. “Ultimately, my brief was to go in and try and persuade them that we had the best thing since sliced bread,” he explained. “What was the purpose to this? Like all the front groups, every single one of them, the purpose was to make people into Scientologists.”

“Scientology wants to be recognised and accepted in society. That’s the only reason these groups exist – to make Scientology respectable,” he said. “The fact that they [Criminon] have charity status is the disturbing thing, because under no circumstances are they a charity. They only exist to make more Scientologists.’

The courses being offered by Criminon are identical to the introductory ‘life improvement courses’ available at any Church of Scientology, though appear to have been repackaged to appeal to prisoners. They include ‘Learning How to Learn’, ‘Personal Integrity’ and ‘Successful Parenting Skills’. In the context of its prison reform program, Scientology claims the courses are “secular”, though when delivered within the setting of a Church of Scientology they are “religious scripture”.

Some of the courses, including ‘The Learning Skills Course’ and ‘The Restoring Self-Respect Course’ have been accredited by LASER Learning Awards and allow inmates to demonstrate continued personal growth and development during their time behind bars, which is taken into consideration when determining applications for early release.

One course titled ‘Understanding and Overcoming Addiction’ is based entirely on L. Ron Hubbard’s quack teachings about drugs and encourages prisoners to use vitamin therapy and saunas to combat their addictions. In the course pack, obtained by Scientology Business, Criminon teaches “the effects of medical and psychiatric drugs, whether painkillers, tranquilisers or antidepressants are just as terrible” as street drugs like cocaine and heroin. By taking prescription medicines, the courses says prisoners are “made stupid, blank forgetful, unreal and irresponsible” and even “become a threat or danger to friends and the people around them.”

It continues, “The drug rehabilitation technology developed by Mr Hubbard has been able to get rid of the major damage in people who have been on drugs. This is an exact technology which gets a person off drugs without pain. It handles their physical and mental effects and helps them get back in control of their lives. Nothing else can do this with certainty.”

There is no scientific evidence to support these claims and in fact, several people have died as a result of Scientology’s controversial drug rehabilitation program, which is offered without medical supervision at its Narconon centres across the world. In 2024, The Guardian found the Narconon program had left vulnerable people “traumatised” and triggered an investigation by the Charity Commission.

A Criminon spokesperson said that in severe addiction cases, it does advise people to consult doctors and that “Criminon provides an effective course in this area that should be supported and promoted, not maliciously attacked.” Though it declined to comment on the contents of the courses themselves.

According to its annual accounts filed with the Charity Commission, Criminon has received funding from the Royal Society of St George (RSSG) and the Mountbatten Memorial Trust, of which the monarch is patron. In a statement, an RSSG spokesperson said that it had made small donations to a charity a few years ago, but that “at the time we were not made aware of any connection to any religious or other body. No further support has been given or is planned.”

The Mountbatten Memorial Trust said it would “not knowingly make any donation to the Church of Scientology.”

Journalist Tony Ortega, who has been reporting on Scientology for 31 years, said the Criminon program and Scientology are “very much entwined” and that anybody donating to Criminon is unwittingly funding Scientology’s activities. He said the charity “can only operate under licensing from Scientology’s Association for Better Living and Education (ABLE), and ABLE is only staffed by Scientology Sea Org members who have signed one-billion-year Scientology contracts.”

“Anyone who says a branch of Criminon is “independent” of Scientology is deluding themselves,” he continued.

In a statement, a Scientology representative said “The Church of Scientology has proudly supported Criminon charities around the world for decades and features them at the top of the home page of the Scientology website.”

The Charity Commission said that no concerns have been raised about Criminon, but it added: “Anyone with any evidence to support concerns should share that with us, so that we can assess it, and determine whether there is a role for us as regulator.”

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Criminon is one of many charities operating within the prison estate and we keep their activities under constant review to ensure they operate within our rules.”

The post Scientology is being taught in 70% of UK prisons, investigation reveals first appeared on Scientology Business News - lawsuits, financial records and shell companies.

Since September 2024, Highways have been embroiled in a lengthy back-and-forth between angry locals and the controversial church over an extensive hedge planted on public land opposite the entrance to Scientology’s UK headquarters. The 130ft hedge and a concealed fence were believed to have been placed by the church along Saint Hill Road near East Grinstead, Sussex as a means to minimise space available for protestors to stand. Government officials declared them “unauthorised structures” and ordered their removal. Wooden sleepers placed along the road were also considered a danger to motorists, should they become dislodged.

After multiple deadline extensions and Scientology claiming the removal order amounted to “religious discrimination”, the hedge and concealed fence were eventually removed in June 2025. However, the Church subsequently applied for – and were granted – a Planting Licence, which allowed them to place a new hedge in exactly the same spot.

The Planting Licence came with conditions, requiring the hedge to consist of no more than 35 individual trees with limits on the species and how close they could be placed to the highway so as to ensure there was sufficient space for pedestrians to seek refuge from oncoming traffic. However, in true keeping with their reputation for doing what they want, Scientology planted 105 trees and dug several large holes in front of the bush making it unsafe for pedestrians – or protestors – to use.

Despite demands from the Highways department, the Church continued to promise it would resolve issues along the verge, only for follow-up inspections to find no changes had been made. Scientology did finally remove the excess plants in December 2025, however they were simply dumped along with other garden waste behind the hedge while the holes they had dug in the pedestrian refuge remained in place.

Now, Highways have stepped in to resolve problems at the site but despite the issues arising from Scientology’s non-compliance with the conditions of their Planting Licence, the taxpayer are expected to foot the bill.

Here’s the timeline of events, as reported here on Scientology Business:

September 19th 2024: West Sussex Highways inspection finds 130ft of hedge, concealed fencing and wooden sleepers placed opposite the entrance to Scientology’s UK headquarters near East Grinstead, Sussex. Scientology are informed they would be able to apply for a Planting Licence, but only after the existing unauthorised structures are removed.

September 24th 2024: The Underground Bunker breaks the story: Highways order Scientology to remove the unauthorised structures within 28 days, with a possible 14 day extension should they not hear back from the Church.

October 1st 2024:
Scientology representative argues the structures were “put there on the specific recommendation of Inspector Paul Scott of Sussex Police more than 10 years ago, and was inspected and approved by West Sussex Highways at that time,” however the Police do not have the authority to approve placing permanent obstructions along a public right of way. After being pushed by the Council Scientology were unable to provide any evidence of the Highways department giving authorisation.

October 15th 2024: Scientology apply for a licence to erect temporary hoarding along the highway in order to obstruct protestors ahead of forthcoming IAS gathering.

October 17th 2024: Highways reject the application, citing safety concerns.

October 23rd 2024: Scientology’s UK spokesperson threatens Highways, describing their order to remove the structures as “discrimination” and warning officials to “be very careful.”

November 4th 2024: Extension granted for removal expires.

January 15th 2025: Highways arboriculturist raises a ticket for the structures to be removed. Meanwhile, Scientology challenges property boundaries and file an official complaint with the Council.

January 27th 2025:
Highways informs Scientology Business the complaint had been rejected, however Scientology have the opportunity to escalate it to the Local Government Ombudsman. Removal works put on hold until the outcome of the complaint is finalised.

June 3rd 2025: Janet Laveau emails Highways stating “removal is in progress. It should be completed in the next 24 hours or so.”

June 6th 2025: Highways inspector visits the site and reports that although some of the structures had been removed, work still needed to be done in order to restore the verge to its native state.

June 13th 2025: Highways chase Scientology asking for an update and two weeks later they threaten to reconsider the granting of a Planting Licence if the stumps and fence posts were not removed by 23rd July

July 7th 2025: Scientology tells Highways “everything has been removed” 

July 8th 2025: Highways inspection takes place, with a report being sent the following day noting several tree stumps still had not been removed.

July 30th 2025: Scientology writes to Highways saying “all of the roots have been extracted and disposed of now.” 

August 1st 2025: Highways once again inspect the site

August 7th 2025: Highways send another inspector after a local resident complained the verge had been left in a state of disrepair. Highways then confirms the roots, stumps and other unauthorised obstructions had been removed and that they will proceed with Scientology’s application for a planting licence.

September 10th 2025: Internal email obtained through the Freedom of Information Act shows Highways officials discussing special circumstances being adopted regarding the planting licence: “It is usually only for trees and for the Parish or District, but this is a special for the Church of Scientology and for trees to form a hedge, which is not within the norm of the Licence, but this has been adapted.”

September 18th 2025: With their October IAS event date looming, Scientology applies pressure on the council to hurry up with the granting of the licence “as their supplier has lead times to adhere to” and Highways subsequently ask for the application to be expedited.

September 24th 2025: Planting Licence for up to 35 individual trees is issued by West Sussex Highways

October 23rd 2025: Scientology plant new hedge, consisting of 71 plants. This later rises to 105 ahead of the IAS event.

Since October, Highways have engaged in continuous dialogue with residents and the Church regarding the additional plants. Eventually, Scientology removed them but simply dumped them behind the hedge and left several holes were still left along the verge. Several inspections have taken place over the last nine months with Area Highways Manager Andy Tuck finally stepping in to resolve the problem earlier today.

In a statement, Mr. Tuck told us “I can confirm that today I attended the site together with a Senior Highways Steward and a Highways Steward. During our visit, we removed the holly bushes that had previously been taken out and placed behind the remaining hedge.”

“In addition, we inspected the verge and filled the holes that were unfortunately left following the removal of some of the holly bushes, which had been undertaken at the request of WSCC.”

When questioned on whether the taxpayer would be footing the bill, or if Highways were seeking to recover the associated costs from Scientology, he said “During the course of my inspection, I identified that the holly bushes had been removed from the verge and that there were associated holes present. In the interest of operational efficiency and effective use of resources, I made the decision to address both matters at the same time by removing the remaining vegetation and undertaking the necessary filling of the holes that had been left by their removal.”

“This approach enabled the issue to be resolved promptly on site, rather than continuing with a protracted email exchange with different parties, which would not have represented the most efficient use of my time or public resources.”

“As part of my role, I am required to make informed decisions on how matters such as this can be brought to a practical and timely resolution.”

One local resident told us, “This is absolutely ridiculous, I am so angry. If I did that I’d get a bill. Why are we paying for this is what I’d like an answer to from Highways.”

Responding to comments on social media from locals, County Councillor Jacquie Russell said “During the course of their inspection today, [Highways] identified that the holly bushes that they had previously requested be removed from the verge, had been removed from their planting spot but not cleared away with the holes they were planted in remaining unfilled. It was therefore decided that in the interests of public safety, operational efficiency and effective use of resources, to address both matters at the same time by removing the remaining vegetation and undertaking the necessary filling of the holes that had been left unfilled.”

“Given this is a pedestrian refuge and public land upon which a hedge should never have been planted in the first place, Highways considered it more important to mitigate risk of injury by removing that risk, resolving the issue whilst on site, rather than continuing with a protracted email exchange with different parties, which would not have represented the most efficient use of officer time or public resources.”

The post Hedgegate: Taxpayer foots the bill for Scientology Highways non-compliance at UK headquarters first appeared on Scientology Business News - lawsuits, financial records and shell companies.

The application, which was submitted in September last year, sought to build a mega car park for over 680 vehicles and build permanent infrastructure to support the annual temporary erection of three mammoth marquees used to host the annual gathering of Scientology’s membership body, the IAS. The event brings considerable disruption to the local town, with residents complaining annually about the “chaos” caused by thousands of vehicles – including Tom Cruise’s helicopter – arriving at the site in order to hear reclusive leader David Miscavige speak.

In total, Scientology was seeking permission to redevelop 5.07 hectares, or over half a million square feet of land at their Saint Hill compound. The plans revolve around a single three day event, of which only one day is open to the public, and which Scientology officials admit is not a religious event but a money-making exercise. Supporting their application, the controversial Church supplied a report claiming the IAS event brings more benefit to the UK economy than the Eurovision Song Contest, though it relied heavily on unverified statistics provided by the church and assumed multiplier effects that exaggerated the event’s impact.

Today, elected officials at Mid-Sussex District Council voted to approve the redevelopment eight in favour vs one against and two abstentions.

The project is the latest in a string of developments over the years on the site of Saint Hill Manor, a Grade-II listed building. Since acquiring the site in 1959, Scientology has built a large faux castle, coach park, cafeteria and made alterations to existing buildings leading critics to raise concerns about overdevelopment in a protected National Landscape (formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty).

Speaking against the application, Councillor John Dabell said “Originally, I understand they wanted to build a big unit at what is called Saint Hill and they were denied permission and therefore, they found out you could build a castle anywhere you like, so they built a castle. There have been various things going forward over a period of time where, bearing in mind this is an area of natural beauty which is protected land, and one way or another they have continued, in my opinion, to find a way to do what they want on it. I have concerns for this.”

“They’re talking about using this for 84 days a year […] for quite a large part of the time, that marquee is going to be there and my concern is that it will eventually become something else. There’s always been something like that, that’s actually stretched usage within this part of the land.”

The event has been taking place at Saint Hill for many years without the required permits, with Mid-Sussex District Council issuing a Planning Contravention Notice in 2023. Instead of focusing on the impact of the event taking place in an unauthorised manner in illegal structures erected annually without permission, the Planning Committee today seemed to view the application as an improvement of existing facilities.

A statement from former Scientologist Alexander Barnes-Ross was read out at the meeting by the Council’s lawyer, which said:

This application seeks to make permanent alterations to over 5 hectares of unspoiled, protected rural countryside. Although the proposal seeks to embed a plastic geocell grid into the ground, giving the car park area the appearance of a field for the majority of the year, planning policy states the protection of the National Landscape goes beyond purely visual impact. This will result in a fundamental change to the use of the land, and the Council’s own report acknowledges the harm and damage this will do to the local area and nearby heritage buildings.

However, perhaps more concerning are the number of inaccuracies and falsehoods presented by the applicant, and seemingly endorsed by Officers in their report. At a Premises Licence Review hearing just a few months ago, Scientology’s lawyers admitted in this very chamber that the IAS event – which this application seeks to provide infrastructure for – is not religious in nature, and does not involve any acts of worship. It is a fundraising, money-making event for an overseas entity that extracts huge amounts of wealth from the local economy. The applicant’s, and the officers’ agreement that Saint Hill has religious significance for Scientologists and that this should be given extra weight in terms of demonstrating a public benefit are not only misleading, but demonstrably false. The IAS event, as per the applicant’s legal representatives and indeed the reports submitted as part of their application, is not open to the public apart from one day a year and although there are reassurances the carpark could be used by the local sports club, there is no evidence to suggest such an agreement would last indefinitely.

Similarly, the applicant and indeed the officers’ report suggests that due to the so-called religious significance of the site, no alternative venues have been deemed appropriate for this event… and yet the applicant’s own reports detail how over the years, 25% of these annual IAS events have indeed taken place elsewhere. The Church recently secured permission to build a huge events venue at their worldwide headquarters in Florida, where this IAS event will eventually move to – meaning this development will result in permanent alterations to a protected AONB, yet only see temporary use until their new venue opens in the US.

Finally, it is important for Councillors to note the economic impact assessment is based on figures provided by the applicant themselves and cannot be substantiated. There has been no independent assessment conducted by the Council, or indeed any verification that the figures provided are accurate. The suggestion this event carries a greater benefit to the UK economy than Eurovision is laughable at best. Although a number of attendees visit from overseas, the majority of them stay in hotels owned by Scientologists, who in turn donate their profits back to the Church. There is no mention of the fact last year Scientology’s biggest donor was awarded for donating $360 million. This event creates a closed loop economy and in fact, extracts wealth from the area.

Any reasonable person would consider a 5 hectare development to be ‘major’, and it simply does not serve the public interest. I therefore urge Councillors to reject this proposal.

Statement from former Scientologist Alex Barnes-Ross, in opposition to Scientology’s proposed development at their UK headquarters

The Council’s report noted the plans would result in harm to an area of protected countryside, and deal damage to the setting of listed heritage buildings in the vicinity, but Councillors voted to approve the plans regardless.

Now Scientology have been given the green light, we expect a full permission notice to be issued in the coming days which will lay out any limiting conditions attached to the development and a timescale for construction work to begin.

The post Redevelopment plans approved at Scientology’s UK headquarters first appeared on Scientology Business News - lawsuits, financial records and shell companies.

The independent school in Forest Row, Sussex has previously denied ties to the controversial church, whose UK headquarters is located just two miles away at Saint Hill, however a leaked email sent by a Scientology executive last week appears to confirm the school has agreed to host children enrolled on church courses over the summer period.

“This summer, Greenfields will accommodate students ages 11 to 17 at their facility so that they can be on course at Saint Hill,” the email states. Staff at the school “will look after them just like they do when they are at Greenfields boarding school, and during the week are under the supervision of Saint Hill Supervisors,” it continues.

Children can “stay as many weeks as they want during the summer holidays” and when not studying at Saint Hill, the school will organise outings, “fun things” and opportunities to “make new friends,” it says. School facilities including a tennis court and basketball court will also be made available to the students and “there is a lounge for movie nights, board games and table football. There are also quiet rooms for reading, etc.”

Students participating in the program will “study at Saint Hill Monday to Friday, and will be transported to and from Saint Hill and Greenfields using a Greenfields van” and weekend activities are to be organised by the school. “Saint Hill is paid for any Scientology services, the Refectory for meals throughout the week, and Greenfields provides meals on the weekend, accommodation, transport and outings,” it explains.

Photos we published from inside the school earlier this year reveal the boarding facilities are relatively modern with both single and bunk beds seen in shared dormitories. One room featured a framed photograph commemorating a visit made by celebrity Scientologist actor John Travolta in 1993, while pictures illustrating the school’s history had been edited to remove former teacher Mark Kent, who was jailed for child sex offences while working at the school.

Greenfields was founded in 1981 by senior Scientologist Margaret Hodkin, whose son Peter now represents the church as their UK solicitor. Although a separate legal entity, the school operates as part of Scientology’s ‘Applied Scholastics’ network and uses an educational model developed by L. Ron Hubbard known as ‘Study Technology’. In a statement to the London Evening Standard Greenfields described itself as “completely non-denominational” welcoming “children of all faiths,” though it is understood the majority of its students belong to Scientologist families. The school’s website makes no mention of Scientology.

Despite denying ties, Greenfields was advertised as providing “fully set up child care facilities” during last year’s gathering of Scientology’s membership body, the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) at Saint Hill. Now, a new email leaked to us over the weekend seems to support the suggestion Greenfields has a close and ongoing partnership with the Church, detailing an arrangement where children studying at Saint Hill over the summer will be housed and transported to the secluded Scientology compound by the school.

You can read the email in full below:

In order to facilitate the young generation coming to Saint Hill to study this summer, the following has been organized with Greenfields School: 

This summer, Greenfields will accommodate students ages 11 to 17 at their facility so that they can be on course at Saint Hill. Students will sleep in the Greenfields dormitory and use the Greenfields facilities. They will eat at Greenfields on the weekends.

They will study at Saint Hill, Monday to Friday, and will be transported to and from Saint Hill and Greenfields using a Greenfields van. 

On the weekends, they will go on organized outings together, to do fun things, get outside and make new friends.

They will eat at Saint Hill during the week days (Refectory will need to be paid for their meals) and study on any course or do any service Monday to Friday. They could do SRD, Student Hat, Basics or the new Children’s Courses courses, etc.

Greenfields staff will look after them just like they do when they are at Greenfields boarding school, and during the week are under the supervision of Saint Hill Supervisors.

Saint Hill is paid for any Scientology services, the Refectory for meals throughout the week, and Greenfields provides meals on the weekend, accommodation, transport and outings!

Greenfields will charge a fee per week for this service. They can stay as many weeks as they want during the summer holidays. 

Greenfields facilities include the following: tennis court, basketball court, lounge/games room, sports pitch, full boarding facilities, showers/bathrooms and private storage spaces. Rooms are shared between 2 and 8 children depending on the age and size of the room. Girls and boys sleep in opposite sides of the facility and come together in the communal areas. There is good wifi access. There is a kitchen where they can keep their own groceries and make their own additional snacks as need be if they wish.

There is a lounge for movie nights, board games and table football. There are also quiet rooms for reading, etc.

For any questions Greenfields related, contact Kerry Enright: [REDACTED]

For any questions Saint Hill services related, contact any Saint Hill Registrar or myself, Lavinia Dyer, Saint Hill D of T: [REDACTED]

Let’s get the word out to all parents with kids in this age bracket, and get them all scheduled to come here this summer. People book their plans months in advance, so they need to be booked to come to Saint Hill this summer, NOW! 

(If they would want to do the Purif this summer or study also on the weekend as well, this can be arrange.)

Leaked email sent to Scientologists from an executive at Saint Hill

Scientology recently announced a series of new courses aimed at children it calls ‘The Golden Age for the Next Generation’. The campaign targets Scientologist parents, encouraging them to introduce their kids to Scientology principles and get them started on the ‘Bridge to Total Freedom.’ The training camp taking place at Saint Hill this summer is understood to be part of the church’s efforts to recruit children, with facilities provided by Greenfields offering a childcare solution for working parents during the summer holidays.

The arrangement also comes at a financially challenging time for the fee-paying school, after it lost the ability to sponsor overseas student visas in 2024. In a statement, a UK Visas & Immigration spokesperson told us “if an institution is found to not meet the standards required of a Sponsor, compliance action will be taken, up to and including revocation where appropriate.” Data published on the gov.uk website suggests overseas students accounted for up to two thirds of the school’s annual income.

In the same year, an inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) flagged several concerns about the school’s safeguarding and administration practices. Although these concerns were addressed ahead of a subsequent inspection in December 2024, it is understood Greenfields had lost a quarter of its students by the start of the following academic year, leading to the school seeking financial support from parents.

A spokesperson for East Sussex County Council told us: “Following the report from the ISI,  the Local Authority followed up these concerns with the school and were satisfied that all appropriate actions were being taken to address the safeguarding concerns.  The ISI confirmed this view in their follow up visit in December 2024.

“As with all educational establishments, the school is responsible for reducing any risks with regards to preventing and responding to extremism and radicalisation. The Local Authority’s training offer and guidance documents support schools in fulfilling these duties.”

In a landmark 1986 High Court case, Mr. Justice Latey said “it is plain that the Church exercises a strong influence if not indeed control” over Greenfields School, explaining “Scientology as such is not taught as a subject. But all the ambience [sic] is of Scientology” and noted “the School pays money annually to Scientology.”

He warned “The objective of Scientology is to capture the child and its mind.”

Forty years after Latey’s ruling the church continues to place emphasis on engaging younger generations through its renewed youth programs, while Greenfields School remains part of the infrastructure supporting those activities.. largely away from the public spotlight and seemingly free from government scrutiny.

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The project, which will see more than half a million square feet (5.07 hectares) of protected countryside land within an Area of Outstanding Beauty converted into event facilities, has been the centre of almost 11 months of controversy within the rural Sussex community. Essentially, Scientology are seeking permission to build a giant new car park on the site of their existing UK headquarters, as well as permanent features such as a toilet block, generator facility and concrete pads to facilitate the annual erection of three mammoth marquees used as a venue for the annual gathering of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS).

The event takes place over a three-day weekend once a year, of which only the Sunday evening is open to the public. However, according to Scientology the event contributes more to the UK economy than the Eurovision Song Contest.

Now, ahead of the Planning Committee voting on the application next week, Mid-Sussex District Council officers have produced a report recommending approval despite concerns around the event’s impact on the community and the proposed development’s impact on the environment.

In its report, the Council notes “While the proposal is not related to the purposes of agriculture, the intended use does support extended cultural/community activities associated with the permitted religious use of Saint Hill Manor,” despite lawyers for the Church arguing at a Premises Licence review hearing earlier this year that the IAS event does not involve any acts of worship and is, in fact, a fundraising event for their membership body.

The report does, however, admit that Scientology’s proposals “will result in harm” to the locality, and warns “while there is no objection in principle to the proposals, should it be found that it fails to maintain, or enhance, the quality of the rural landscape then the proposal would be contrary to policy DP12” of the Mid-Sussex District Plan.

It continues, “there are a number of designated and non-designated heritage assets that have been identified in the vicinity of the site, whose settings would be adversely impacted as a result of the proposal.”

Elected officials are set to vote on the proposal next Thursday. You can read the Council’s report below:

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The controversial church does not hold tax-exempt status in the United Kingdom after the Charity Commission ruled it “does not benefit the public” in 1999. Instead, it funnels operations through an Australian-registered non-profit named Church of Scientology Religious Education College, Inc. (COSRECI). Although its registered address is listed with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC) as 225 Pulteney St, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia, COSRECI is considered an overseas entity that does business exclusively in the UK. Its ACNC filings account for Scientology’s entire UK operation including its headquarters at Saint Hill and city-level churches such as London, Birmingham and Manchester. Due to its lack of charity status, COSRECI is liable for Corporation Tax on its profits.

In their latest accounts for the year ending 31st December 2025, filed with the ACNC today, COSRECI has more than tripled its expenditure on ‘legal and professional fees’ over the last five years from $614,821 AUD ($423,691 USD or £319,550 GBP) in 2021 to $1,934,033 AUD ($1.33 million USD or £1 million GBP) in 2025.

The church has also continued its practice of borrowing money from Scientology entities in the United States, with total debt owed to related parties almost doubling from $57.7 million AUD ($39.7 million USD or £30 million GBP) in 2018 to a staggering $111.3 million AUD ($76.7 million USD or £57.9 million GBP) in 2025.

Scientology’s UK income has somewhat flatlined over the same period, with reported annual figures ranging between $23.7 million AUD and $46.3 million AUD and an average annual turnover of $32.3 million AUD ($22.2 million USD or £16.8 million GBP).

Plotted on a comparative graph, Scientology’s financial model appears to be unsustainable with debts increasing year-on-year, and money spent on legal fees growing exponentially despite no significant increase in annual turnover. On the loans from other church entities, their latest accounts state “The trustees consider the going concern basis to be appropriate for the preparation of these financial statements. Most current liabilities are amounts owed to other Scientology organisations, with whom there has always been mutual cooperation and who are unlikely to seek repayment to the detriment of other creditors.”

“Church of Scientology Religious Education College, Inc maintain[s] significant cash balances with the bank and the trustees are confident that [COSRECI] will be able to pay debts when they fall due”

The accounts show $42.3 million AUD falls due to Church of Scientology International and $17.46 million AUD to Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization within the next year. COSRECI claims to have $46.4 million AUD ($31.9 million USD or £24.1 million GBP) in unrestricted funds available either in cash or at the bank.

During the year, COSRECI received donations of $4,960 (2024: $67,716), purchased books and other literature to a value of
$1,354,425 (2024: $1,160,482), and was charged $3,162,265 (2024: $2,926,255) for ecclesiastical management services and courses. Church of Scientology International also paid $792,577 (2024: $342) in respect to building and leasehold improvements and $59,373 (2024:V $23,256) in respect of furniture and equipment additions, in addition payments of $59,373 (2024: $23,322) were held on account for future building improvements. At the year end, $135,626,325 (2024: $133,002,158) was due to Church of Scientology International and its subsidiaries

Church of Scientology UK Financial Report 2025 (Source: ACNC)

The financial report also provides further insight into the nature of COSRECI’s debts, with amounts due to several Scientology entities in the United States including the ‘Mother Church’ Church of Scientology International (CSI), Scientology International Reserves Trust (SIRT) and their headquarters in Clearwater Florida known as Flag.

Some debts relate to amounts owed for services provided to COSRECI, for example fees charged by Flag for the recent ‘Golden Age of Administration’ which saw dozens of executives shipped off to Florida for training on the ‘Flag Executive Briefing Course’. However the majority of debt arises from loans from Scientology organisations higher up in the church’s international management structure.

The total amount owed by Scientology’s UK branch to its US counterparts is almost three times its annual turnover.

At the year-end there were loans outstanding from Church of Scientology International of $66,773,749 (2024: $64,820,934)
and is included in note 8 under “Loans from related organisations. The loan is to be repaid over a period of five years, unless
the term is extended by agreement. Interest of $2,243,237 (2024: $2,246,354) was charged in the year.

At the year-end there was a loan outstanding from Scientology International Reserves Trust of $14,781,341 (2024:
$14,319,614) and this is shown in Note 8 under “Loans from related organisations”. The loan is to be repaid over a period of
five years, unless the term is extended by agreement. Interest is chargeable at 5% p.a.

Church of Scientology Flag Service Organisation was charged $Nil (2024: charged $28,221) for courses provided to
COSRECI. At the year end, $17,465,887 (2024: $18,117,012) was due to Church of Scientology Flag Service Organisation
and this amount is included in Note 7. The amount had increased (2024: decreased) in the period by interest charged of
$Nil (2024: $Nil) and was reduced in the period by repayments of $Nil (2024: $Nil) and exchange differences of $590,489
(2024: $148,760)

In addition, COSRECI received donations from other churches amounting to $2,209,231 (2024: $5,766,590)

Church of Scientology UK Financial Report 2025 (Source: ACNC)

COSRECI itself has also loaned money to its European counterparts, with $1.25 million AUD owed by the Church of Scientology and Community Centre of Dublin and $171,218 due from the Church of Scientology of Germany as of 31st December 2025.

The filing also appears to confirm Manchester is being prioritised as the next UK ‘Ideal Org’, stating “as at the balance sheet date, Church of Scientology Religious Education College Inc had committed to further expenditure in respect of ongoing property improvement works at its Manchester premises.” Renovation works began on the Grade-II listed Old Essence Distillery building in Trafford last year, which Scientology acquired in 2007 for a reported £3.6 million. This followed pressure applied by the local Council to “arrest the decline” of the property, which had fallen into a state of disrepair due to being sat vacant for so long. Scaffolding has now been erected around the building and works have begun on the interior, but due to asbestos being found throughout the building, a number of new planning applications have been made in order to account for its removal.

The amount reported as ‘committed expenditure’ on the refurbishment works was listed as $1,694,003 AUD ($1.17 million USD or £879,848 GBP) in COSRECI’s 2024 accounts. However, a leaked document sent to parishioners last year suggests Scientology has raked in over £37 million in donations for the project.

Along with its annual accounts Scientology has also reported steady growth in the number of volunteers it has working for the organisation in the UK, rising from 1,300 in 2024 to 1,400 in 2025. Expenditure on staff allowances however fell from $3,690,738 AUD in 2024 to $3,663,334 AUD in 2025. If Scientology’s figures are to be believed, this means the average staff wage fell from $54 AUD ($37 USD or £28 GBP) a week in 2024 to $50 AUD ($34 USD or £26 GBP) last year.

Meanwhile COSRECI’s reported six “key management personnel” received a pay rise from an average of $136 AUD ($93 USD or £70 GBP) per week in 2024 to $143 AUD ($98 USD or £74 GBP) in 2025. In contrast, for a standard 37.5-hour work week the UK minimum wage equates to a weekly gross pay of £457.88 ($881 AUD or $607 USD).

The amount of money Scientology spends on legal fees each year has also seen a marked increase in recent years, almost quadrupling from $556,969 AUD ($383,668 USD or £289,328 GBP) in 2022 to $1.93 million AUD ($1.33 million USD or £1 million GBP) in 2025.

This coincides with a growing UK protest movement and increased government scrutiny after Scientology leader Captain David Miscavige revived their annual IAS event, which takes place annually at their Saint Hill compound near East Grinstead, Sussex. After an extended break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the event returned in 2022 and was met by the largest UK protest since the Anonymous movement 15 years prior.

Since then, local residents and government officials have raised concerns about the “disruption” and “chaos” the gathering brings to the local area. In 2023, Mid-Sussex District Council issued a Planning Contravention Notice, ordering the church to apply for planning permission in order to erect three mammoth marquees used to host the event and in 2024 Scientology launched a bid to ban protesting which subsequently failed after the Council declared the demonstrations to be “by and large peaceful and good natured”.

The Church was also faced with an application to review their Premises Licence in late 2025 and appointed barrister Cain Ormondroyd to represent them at a hearing earlier this year, however due to their financial year ending 31st December 2025, these costs are not expected to appear in Scientology’s accounts until next year.

In a policy letter dated 9th March 1972, founder L. Ron Hubbard laid out Scientology’s governing financial policy. He wrote: “make money, make more money, make other people produce so as to make money.”

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The group of ex-Scientologists presented a petition, co-signed by the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation along with a dossier of dozens of first-hand survivor testimonies documenting decades of abuse, coercive control, financial exploitation, child safeguarding failures, and forced labour that have occurred within the Church in the United Kingdom.

The handover took place at the door of 10 Downing Street, where the group posed for photographs with the petition.

The petition urges the Government to take decisive action, including llaunching a public inquiry into high-control groups in the UK; strengthening safeguarding laws to recognise spiritual and ritual abuse; closing gaps in legislation that allow coercive control outside domestic settings (Serious Crime Act 2015); and introducing mandatory reporting requirements for abuse within religious organisations, as proposed by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Safeguarding in Faith Communities.

The petition draws on historic findings, including the 1971 Foster Report, which described Scientology as “socially harmful,” as well as testimonies from former members. “This is not about belief — it’s about abuse, exploitation, and the failure of safeguarding systems to protect vulnerable people, especially children,” said Alexander Barnes-Ross, who has been leading protests against Scientology’s abusive practices in the UK for the last three years.

“For too long, we have been ignored – the media often too afraid to even call us survivors. The Government has previously recognised the harms of this organisation, the Charity Commission ruled it “does not benefit the public” and yet it continues to operate unchanged and free of scrutiny to this day. We are bringing our experiences directly to the Government’s door and asking them to act in order to right the wrongs of the past and prevent further harm.”

The accompanying testimonies describe patterns of alleged abuse spanning decades, including excessive working hours for little or no pay, pressure to sever contact with family members, failure to report crimes to authorities and exploitation of minors within organisational structures. The testimonies demonstrate a systemic issue that has spanned decades, with one account from the 1970s and another as recently as this year.

The petition includes dozens of detailed survivor accounts from former Scientologists in the UK and internationally. The campaign is supported by advocacy organisations such as the Michael J. Ridner Aftermath Foundation, which assists individuals leaving Scientology.

The action follows similar international scrutiny, including recent inquiries into high- control groups in Australia.

Although its buildings are designated places of worship, the Church of Scientology was rejected by the Charity Commission in 1999. In 1986, High Court Judge Mr. Justice Latey ruled Scientology was “corrupt, sinister and dangerous”.

Alex Barnes-Ross has been a prolific campaigner for greater awareness of Scientology’s harmful practices in the United Kingdom, speaking out on Youtube under the name ‘Apostate Alex’ and through online site scientologybusiness.com. In response, Scientology have orchestrated a prolific campaign of harassment and attempted to ban peaceful protests outside its UK headquarters.

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The price list, dated March 2026, shows how much Scientology are charging business for courses in the Sussex area, where its UK headquarters are located. Interestingly it appears the courses are being delivered by the Hubbard College of Administration, however the legal entity with that name was dissolved in 2014 according to Companies House.

The Hubbard College of Administration worldwide forms part of the World Institute of Scientology Enterprises (WISE), a group of businesses that use management and administration techniques developed by L. Ron Hubbard. Although WISE promotes itself as being secular, many of the courses on the list appear to be the same as those delivered in Churches of Scientology, where the controversial organisation claims they are spiritual or faith-based courses.

The courses include ‘Handling the Ups & Downs in Life’ and ‘Personal Values and Integrity’, which are introductory life improvement courses also available at Scientology Orgs. In Scientology, these typically cost £45 however the Hubbard College of Administration appear to be charging £250 for the same courses, which require between 15 and 45 hours of study.

Here’s the full list of courses:

Although many of these courses may sound enticing to entrepreneurs or small business owners, they are based on L. Ron Hubbard’s administrative policies, which were written throughout the 1950s, 60s, 70s and 80s rather than experts with real-world, modern business experience.

Companies who are part of WISE typically expect their employees to complete Scientology courses provided by the Hubbard College of Administration, though it is unclear whether they are delivered in-house or at a Scientology Org.

There is no mention of Scientology on the price list.

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Following a string of concerns raised by members of the public over East Grinstead Town Council’s close relationship with Scientology, which has its UK headquarters in the town, Councillors received a briefing sheet from the Clerk detailing the policies that shape how the controversial church engages with the local community. The note explained a brief history of Scientology’s presence in Sussex and the work of it’s PR department, known as the Office of Special Affairs (OSA). In particular it highlighted a practice known as Safe Pointing, where Scientology officials are instructed to build relationships with local officials.

In 2024, an investigation by the Daily Mail revealed a number of former Mayors had received gifts and hospitality from Scientology, including invitations to walk the red carpet at a Mission Impossible premiere and take photos with Tom Cruise. Since then, despite the public backlash sitting Mayors and Councillors from both East Grinstead Town and Mid-Sussex District Councils have repeatedly attended events at Saint Hill in an official capacity, turning on their Christmas Lights and opening festivities at their annual Easter Egg Hunt.

In order to calm tensions between local residents, ex-Scientologists and the Council the Town Clerk asked for further information about safe pointing and offered to distribute it to elected officials, writing on 9th March 2026 “If you would like to share your information regarding ‘Safe Pointing,’ I would be happy to circulate it to all Councillors. This would be the most appropriate way to ensure your concerns are received by those in a position to review them.”

A briefing sheet was subsequently shared with the Clerk, who sent it to Councillors on 21st April.

In response to repeated requests to meet with both the current and previous Mayors to present concerns, I suggested [redacted] prepared a document containing [redacted] ‘Safe Pointing’ concerns so it could be shared equally with all councillors for review.

I appreciate that views may differ on both the content and the decision to share it; the intention is simply to ensure openness and to respond appropriately to the request made, rather than to prompt discussion or to necessarily require any further action.

If anyone wishes to seek further clarification or request additional written detail, please feel free to contact me directly.

I will confirm to the author that this information has been shared with all Councillors and, unless I hear otherwise, will assume that this satisfies the request for circulation.

Email from the East Grinstead Town Clerk to Councillors, 21st April 2026

The email included an attached briefing sheet, which we can share with you here for the first time.

However despite the memo being shared internally and not meant for publication or sharing outside of the Council, records obtained through the Freedom of Information Act show an East Grinstead Town Councillor subsequently shared the briefing sheet with a Scientology official.

The documents have been redacted so at this stage, it is unclear which Councillor forwarded the note to the Church.

In response, Scientology’s PR spokesperson Graeme Wilson lashed out, sending an email to the Council the following day in an attempt to debunk the facts shared in the briefing note.

Dear Cllr [redacted]

I am writing to you as the Public Affairs Director of the Church of Scientology.

It has come to my attention that you have recently been sent a document entitled “Fact Sheet for Councillors Scientology safe pointing,” by a [redacted] called [redacted]. Given the content of this “Fact Sheet” I felt it necessary to correct the mischaracterisation contained in this. As is commonly understood, [redacted] is an [redacted], with a publicly professed agenda to destroy [redacted], while [redacted] seeks to obtain notoriety and income in the process. In doing so [redacted] frequently resorts to outright lies, misinformation and disinformation — and this so-called “fact sheet” is another good example of this.

Forgive me if this is quite a long email, but I feel it needs to be in order to properly address the above-referenced ‘fact sheet.’

As you may be aware the Scientology religion was founded by Mr L. Ron Hubbard more than 70 years ago. Since 1959, when Mr Hubbard first purchased Saint Hill Manor, there has been a Scientology Church in East Grinstead, and Scientologists have been very active in the town community, and in supporting local causes and charities, since that time. Scientology was formally acknowledged as a religion by the United Kingdom Supreme Court in 2013, and the Supreme Court also found that the earlier treatment of Scientologists was “illogical, discriminatory and unjust.”

Prior to that time Scientologists had been subjected to considerable officially sanctioned discrimination and harassment, which was, again, largely the result of misinformation and disinformation being spread about it. There was even for a time — from 1968 to 1980 — a ban on Scientologists coming to the United Kingdom to visit a Scientology Church. It later materialised that there was never any evidence to justify this ban, despite the highly inflammatory rhetoric used when it was introduced by the then Health Minister, who civil servants of the time noted had a great prejudice towards the Church. Despite all efforts to incommode and disadvantage followers of this religion in the past, most of this has thankfully now been reversed. The only reason that our religion survived this onslaught is that Scientologists are good people, with good intentions, who genuinely do good things to help others — because this is like, most religions, the intrinsic ethos of our religion.

It may be noted that the aims of the Scientology religion, first announced in 1950, are the achievement of “a civilisation without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights.” Accordingly, any time there is a reference to the aims of Scientology, these are what is being referred to. Scientology exists solely to help people to help others — which is the entire focus of its activities both inside and outside of the Church. It also works together with anyone who is of good will and who shares in a desire to create a better society.

The Church of Scientology in England is part of an Australian registered charity – its Australian foundation entirely due to the historic discrimination that Scientologists suffered in this country, now thankfully ended.

Turning to [redacted].

Firstly, the United Kingdom headquarters of the Church are not located at Saint Hill Manor. Like much of [redacted] litany of false and misleading information, this is an incorrect assertion.

Secondly, the policies upon which the Church operates are determined by the Church Boards, and change with the times. Policies that Mr Hubbard authored were written for the time and circumstances in which they written, and should be viewed in that context. They were routinely revised and updated by Mr Hubbard himself during his life time. They often delineate how fundamental Scientology principles can be applied in the running of an organisation and are therefore an invaluable reference and guide. But like in any organisation, the operating procedures in the Church evolve to meet the needs and requirements of the present day.

The Sea Organisation is a recognised religious order in this country. It has that name because it was founded by Mr Hubbard when he was based on a ship in the late 1960s. Like the religious orders of any religion, it consists of the most dedicated members, who commit themselves entirely to the service of the Church. They serve out of religious commitment not financial reward, live communally, with their basic needs provided by the Church, together with a small allowance to cover personal necessities. They are no different to other religious orders in these respects. Most Scientology Churches are staffed by volunteers who are not members of the religious order, but the most important Churches are run by members of the order, including the one in East Grinstead.

The Office of Special Affairs is a small office within the Church, responsible for legal matters and external affairs.

In the late 1960s, through to the early 1980s, there existed a body in the Church known as the Guardian’s Office. It was established specifically to stand up to the intense persecution that Scientologists were suffering around the world at that time. Its staff were not members of the religious order, and the job that they were tasked with was unbelievably difficult. In addition to the situation in the United Kingdom and other countries, Scientologists were then also being persecuted in the USA by some government agencies, who passed false information about them both inside of the USA and outside. “Snow White” refers to a programme in the 1970s to legally discover false reports in such files and get them corrected. There are several Court decisions confirming the legal validity of the programme. In violation of what the programme mandated a small number of people violated the law in the USA and were rightly punished. Subsequently the office responsible was disbanded completely. With the advent of Freedom of Information laws, the purpose of the Snow White programme was subsequently achieved. Later, culminating in 1993, the USA Internal Revenue Service concluded the largest investigation in IRS history into all Scientology churches, as well as Church leaders personally. The IRS found everything was fully in order and in compliance with the law, with nothing wrong with any of them, and declared all Scientology churches to be tax exempt, nonprofit public benefit bodies.

There are no restrictions whatsoever on Scientologists establishing any kind of relationships with elected officials. Scientologists come from all walks of life and have political opinions covering the entire spectrum. They are free to do whatever they like, and some have been elected to office in this country and this town. Because Scientologists are engaged with so many activities in the community, many are known to elected officials.

Moreover, the Church of Scientology encourages all Scientologists to engage in good works and help people — because the aim of Scientology is to engage in good works and help people.

In regard to Mr Hubbard’s policy on having a “safe point,” this was formulated in 1972 as a response to the extraordinary persecution Scientologists were suffering and the difficulties this created for the Church to operate at all. Mr Hubbard’s viewpoint was that if important people in the area of our Churches really got to know us, they would be suitably informed when someone tried to subject us to persecution of one form or another, and could come to their own conclusions. The policy was very sensible in the circumstances. Like almost all such policies written by Mr Hubbard it is free to be read by anyone, as they were published in volumes which can be obtained by anyone.

In truth, long before the above policy was issued, the first policy of our Church, since the early 1950s, was, “maintain friendly relations with the environment and the public.”

I am happy to show you and discuss any and all such policies written by Mr Hubbard, should you have any questions. As I said above, they sometimes need to be considered in the context of when they were written, and what we were having to contend with at the time. This is coupled with the fact that the goals of Scientology are altruistic and good — there are no “secret” other goals — a fact that I can personally attest to, having been working to help people as part of the Church for nearly 50 years.

[Redacted] proceeds to then totally misrepresent the report of Sir John Foster QC published in 1971. Sir John was commissioned by the Government to conduct an independent enquiry into Scientology — after they had already imposed the ban on foreign Scientologists coming to this country in 1968. The reason it was commissioned was that they knew that they did not have evidence to support the ban or the false assertion that Scientology “was socially harmful” — but they hoped that an after-the-event inquiry might unearth it. It did not, and the Foster report recommended that the ban be lifted. The statement that [redacted] quotes is the, since disproven, statement of the Minister announcing the ban in 1968. Sir John Foster reached no such conclusion in his report, and said the ban was not justified.

[Redacted] also refers to the Charity Commission decision in 1999. What [redacted] fails to mention is that that decision was itself based on a decades old decision where a judge had suggested that Scientology may not be a religion, and which concluded that the obvious public benefits which flow from religious practices were therefore not applicable. Charity law in this area has been revised since that time, and the Church unequivocally provides nearly all of the public benefits which the Charity Commission have subsequently identified as flowing from religious practices. The UK Supreme Court has now ruled that Scientology is a religion, and the body that operates the Churches in England is registered as a charity in Australia (where it is incorporated).

I hope that that answers any questions that you might have on the so-called “fact sheet.” Its purpose is evidently to try to create divisions and sow the seeds of intolerance towards a peaceful, law abiding and decent religious community. There is unfortunately just too much of this about at present.

If you would like more information, I am happy to meet you, and you have an open invitation to come and tour our Church in East Grinstead. Please let me know.

Kind regards,

Graeme Wilson
Public Affairs Director
Church of Scientology

Email sent by Scientology to East Grinstead Town Council, 22nd April 2026

East Grinstead Town Council has opened an internal review following the incident, and it is unclear whether the Councillor in question will face any disciplinary action as a result of the breach in confidence.

You can read the entire email exchange, as obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request below:

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