Charity watchdog chair rejects EU referendum 'gagging' claim

William Shawcross says his political views did not influence guidance urging charities to avoid speaking out on EU vote

The chair of the UK charity watchdog has rejected the "offensive" accusation that he tried to gag charities from speaking out on the EU referendum because of his own political views.

The head of the Charity Commission, William Shawcross, dismissed the charge by Margaret Hodge MP that his Euroscepticism was to blame for the issuing of guidance from the commission on when charities can intervene on the issue.