The Charity Commission has asked the charity behind Parkrun to take action after a candidate in the Mid-Bedfordshire by-election posted a promotional video from one of its events.
Alistair Strathern, who is standing for Labour in the constituency where Nadine Dorries is stepping down, last week posted a video from the Millennium Country Parkrun, Forest of Marston Vale in Bedfordshire.
The video says Parkrun events are a great way to stay fit and thanks volunteers for making it possible.
It then concludes with a banner urging people to vote for him at the election on 19 October.
What a great way to start off the weekend yesterday at Marston park run. Community well-being events like these are a fantastic way to stay fit.
Thank you to all the volunteers that make events like these possible! pic.twitter.com/eMEwUIc6U2
— Alistair Strathern (@alistrathern) September 17, 2023
The regulator’s guidance says charities must not endorse or promote any one political party or candidate.
It says charities “should be especially wary of associating or becoming associated in the minds of the public with a particular candidate or political party”.
The guidance also says charities “must not assist candidates with their election campaigns, financially or otherwise”.
A spokesperson for the regulator said the commission had written to the charity “noting that we would expect the trustees to consider what action they might take to protect the charity’s independence from party politics”.
The spokesperson also said: “In this case, it appears that a charity was mentioned and promoted by a candidate, possibly without the charity’s consent or awareness.
“In such circumstances, we would expect trustees to consider what action they might take to protect the charity’s independence from party politics, for example by asking the candidate to remove the post, or by issuing its own statement.”
The spokesperson said the letter concluded the regulator’s engagement on the matter.
Parkrun did not respond to multiple requests for comment from Third Sector.
The Labour Party did not respond to a request for comment.