The disaster relief charity, Islamic Help, made waves in my Pendle constituency last year when plans were revealed for a huge 5,000 place boarding school for Muslim girls in Brierfield Mills, an imposing Grade II building which was home to a medical fabrics factory.

It was clear to me from the outset that the charity was acting way outside its charitable objects and I brought in the Charity Commission. They have now ruled that Islamic Help was wrong to raise money for a boarding school – which was outside its charitable objects – and that the money should be returned to the people who supported the appeal.

They also ruled that the appeal for funds should be removed from the Islamic Help website.

And yet, despite this, Islamic Help maintains they have “not been issued with any specific orders from the Commission”. Excuse me? It is as plain as a pikestaff that they have been taking money from people under false pretences. Simple as that.

Islamic Help issued the following press release which totally misrepresents the outcome of the meeting with the Charity Commission. I wasn't there but I have been told what was decided.

“We can confirm that a meeting was held with the Charity Commission last week to discuss various issues concerning Islamic Help’s recent appeal and the purchase of Brierfield Mills.”

“It was a constructive meeting that enabled representatives of the Commission to hear the plans for the charity and the use of the building. These discussions are now ongoing. We have not been issued with any specific orders from the Commission, but we want to assure members of the community that Islamic Help has and always will be working within the framework of Charity Law. We are most grateful to the Commission for their guidance.”

“Additionally and more importantly, we want to involve the local community and local authority in the development of the site and to seek all their views to ensure that this facility meet everyone’s needs. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a true centre for the whole community.”

Islamic Help can start by being completely open and honest about its intentions and about its funding.