The Charity Commission is assessing concerns raised about a social media post by Save the Children UK marking Sir Keir Starmer’s exit from Downing Street, which had sparked criticism from the government.
The post, which was published on X last week, suggested Starmer was complicit in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, including children, killed by Israeli forces.
It featured a mocked-up picture of a commemorative plaque, which read: “History will not forget complicity. Keir Starmer witnessed 73,000 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces, including 21,000 children, and kept supplying arms to Israel.”
The post’s text added: “This is your legacy on the occupied Palestinian territory, Prime Minister Keir Starmer. History will remember your complicity.”
Third Sector understands that Baroness Jenny Chapman, minister of state for international development and Africa, met Moazzam Malik, chief executive of Save the Children UK, last week to discuss the post.
A government source previously suggested to The Guardian newspaper that the post could increase anxiety among MPs already worried about their security following the death of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe.
The Charity Commission confirmed it was looking into the matter, with a spokesperson saying: “We are assessing concerns raised with us about a social media post by Save the Children UK.
“Our assessment of these concerns will determine what regulatory role there might be for the commission.”
The regulator said it had not made any findings or opened a formal investigation.
George Graham, executive director of global impact at Save the Children UK, said the charity always kept an “open dialogue” with the regulator and responded to any questions it had.
Graham previously told Third Sector the charity recognised this topic was a “divisive and sensitive issue”, adding: “The safety of parliamentarians and all those involved in making and shaping policy is paramount.”
He said the charity’s campaign “aims to highlight this government’s political legacy of inaction and complicity”.
Graham said: “The government has taken some steps to try to advance the protection of Palestinian children, but these have fallen well below the UK’s moral and legal obligations.
“The incoming government has an opportunity to take a new approach. It must end its complicity by suspending all arms sales to Israel, suspending the UK-Israel trade and partnership agreement, banning trade with illegal Israeli settlements and holding all perpetrators to account.”