Charity Commission concern over student unions' support for boycott

David Holdsworth, the commission’s chief operating officer, told the JC: "The trustees of a student union charity considering whether or not to endorse a motion relating to the BDS movement must be clear what this means in practice, and must be able to explain how doing so furthers the charity's purposes and therefore is consistent with their legal duties."

Seventeen student unions have passed motions to endorse a boycott of Israel. They include Belfast, Brunel, Essex, Exeter, Goldsmiths, Kings College London, Kingston, Lancashire, Liverpool, Manchester, Soas, Strathclyde, Sussex, Swansea, University of Arts London and UCL.

The commission’s guidelines state that campaigning and political activity can be legitimate and valuable activities for charities to take part in, however there are limits as to what can be done.

The trustees of a student union must ensure that any activity does not appear to be, and is not, discriminatory towards students of a particular faith or race.

The National Union of Students has been contacted for comment.