We have found evidence that the Plymouth Brethren have been involved in lobbying activities and have attempted to influence the outcome of elections in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada & Sweden. This could be deemed as unusual when considering that the brethren do not vote as their religious doctrine is that God will choose the right direction.
In the UK we found support for the Conservatives and the establishment of a Non-Party Campaigner (Third Party) entity. In New Zealand we found clear evidence of support for the National Party. In Australia with they assisted the Liberal Party. In the USA we found a large controversial donation to support the Republican party. Investigations in Canada have shown support for the Conservative Party. In Sweden we find strange links back to a UK company.
The consistent pattern across the globe was the Plymouth Brethren support for 'right wing' parties. We have also found evidence of prolific levels of lobbying of local party representatives.
In the UK we found support for the Conservatives and the establishment of a Non-Party Campaigner (Third Party) entity. In New Zealand we found clear evidence of support for the National Party. In Australia with they assisted the Liberal Party. In the USA we found a large controversial donation to support the Republican party. Investigations in Canada have shown support for the Conservative Party. In Sweden we find strange links back to a UK company.
The consistent pattern across the globe was the Plymouth Brethren support for 'right wing' parties. We have also found evidence of prolific levels of lobbying of local party representatives.
CANADA
Thanks to work by PBCC leaks, we can highlight a number of Brethren members and companies that donated to the Libertarian Atlas Network group via "Canada Strong and Free network", formerly known as the Manning Group.
In 2019 the Manning Group donated $240,000 to Canada Strong and Proud for a series of anti-Trudeau and anti-Liberal campaign ads. The Manning Centre also "gave $4,500 to Newfoundland and Labrador Strong and another $11,200 to Nova Scotia Strong.
The PBCC members donated via a partner of the Canada Strong & Free Network, called the Canada Growth Council. Open & Candid have identified at least $30,000 of donations from Plymouth Brethren Members including Keith Prince, John Boram, Robert Buck, Raymond Price & the Robertson's under their Robertson Construction business.
In 2019 the Manning Group donated $240,000 to Canada Strong and Proud for a series of anti-Trudeau and anti-Liberal campaign ads. The Manning Centre also "gave $4,500 to Newfoundland and Labrador Strong and another $11,200 to Nova Scotia Strong.
The PBCC members donated via a partner of the Canada Strong & Free Network, called the Canada Growth Council. Open & Candid have identified at least $30,000 of donations from Plymouth Brethren Members including Keith Prince, John Boram, Robert Buck, Raymond Price & the Robertson's under their Robertson Construction business.
We found in archival footage from 2011, Brad Mitchell a senior member of the Canadian brethren, is seen sitting with other known Brethren members in the front row at Stephen Harper’s victory speech after Harper won the federal election.
United Kingdom
2010 Young Briton's Foundation
In the UK the Brethren were linked to the 2010 general election supporting the Conservative Party and its then leader David Cameron. The brethren raised £55,000 and donated to the Young Britons’ Foundation, the donation coming from the now aptly named Healthgear Contracts Ltd. This donation went towards 800,000 pamphlets and adverts in the Times & Sunday Times.
The Young Britons’ foundation (YBF) was a Conservative not for profit, training, education, and research think tank. Portrayed to be a “tory madrasa” for teaching young conservatives the art of dark politics. In 2015 the YBF led a Conservative road trip across the UK to support the 2015 general election push, one commentator described the road trip as a place where you could get cheap food, cheap accommodation, free booze, all provided by tory donors. It was also a place where young Conservatives could sleep with older Conservatives to assist them up the ladder. High ranking "brexiteers" Daniel Hannan & Matthew Elliott were both involved with the YBF. The YBF were shrouded in controversy over a bullying scandal and no longer exist.
It was interesting to note that the Grace Trust made a small donation to another right wing think tank Legatum Institute in 2019, you would think that the brethren would avoid supporting think tanks.
Healthgear Contracts were based in the Bedford at the former address of a number of businesses ran by Rodney Dummer. In September 2011 we can see the formation of ROC Group Contracts at the same address.
It was interesting to note that the Grace Trust made a small donation to another right wing think tank Legatum Institute in 2019, you would think that the brethren would avoid supporting think tanks.
Healthgear Contracts were based in the Bedford at the former address of a number of businesses ran by Rodney Dummer. In September 2011 we can see the formation of ROC Group Contracts at the same address.
Rodney Dummer is a member of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and was the conduit for ensuring the donations raised by other brethren members were passed to the YBF, interestingly though the invoices were made out to Media Intelligence Partners and not the YBF. Media Intelligence Partners led by Nick Wood, who maybe the person that the brethren liaised with during the run up to the election. Wood was formerly Press Secretary to William Hague & Iain Duncan Smith. Another link between Media Intelligence Partners was Christian May who was previously the director of operations for the Young Britons' Foundation. May also previously served the Conservative Party as Deputy National Chairman for Conservative Future.
In total YBF reported donations of nearly £135,000, as stated earlier this was spent on the 800,000 pamphlets and also on adverts in the Times & Sunday Times. The leaflets were aimed at trying to prevent a hung parliament.
A further interesting link on this story and very much in keeping with how brethren companies operate, is the printing of the leaflets. The printing was done by a company called DAS Group in Swansea. The company owned by the Brown family was another Brethren member ran company.
It is also reported by ex-brethren member Lance Christie that following the election win by David Cameron's Conservative party in 2010 , that he and a number of senior UK brethren members involved in the above donations , were in attendance in the public gallery at the opening of parliament for the Cameron government. He also claims that they later attended a meeting with Nick Wood of Media Intelligence Partners.
In total YBF reported donations of nearly £135,000, as stated earlier this was spent on the 800,000 pamphlets and also on adverts in the Times & Sunday Times. The leaflets were aimed at trying to prevent a hung parliament.
A further interesting link on this story and very much in keeping with how brethren companies operate, is the printing of the leaflets. The printing was done by a company called DAS Group in Swansea. The company owned by the Brown family was another Brethren member ran company.
It is also reported by ex-brethren member Lance Christie that following the election win by David Cameron's Conservative party in 2010 , that he and a number of senior UK brethren members involved in the above donations , were in attendance in the public gallery at the opening of parliament for the Cameron government. He also claims that they later attended a meeting with Nick Wood of Media Intelligence Partners.
Part of this story has been covered previously by another blog, though we do not believe they were aware of the Plymouth Brethren members connection.
TMVO & Tim Drake
We have also found evidence of senior members of the UK brethren setting up their own Non-Party campaigner (3rd Party) at the time of the 2005 general election.
Tim & Samuel Drake of Cambridge incorporated a company called TMVO Ltd on the 21st April, 2005. The registered office being 40 Cambridge Place, Cambridge , CB2 1NS. TMVO Ltd was registered with the UK Electoral Commission as a Non-Party campaigner (3rd Party). According to the Electoral Commission TMVO Ltd raised almost £10,000 in donations and spent over £24,000 including an amount in Scotland. There are no further details of what this spend encompassed or who made the donations.
It is also of note that we have been informed by different ex-brethren members, that the Drake's were instrumental in supporting the delivery of election leaflets in the Cambridge area for the Conservative MP (at that time) Andrew Lansley.
The Drake family business is called Accora Ltd, they are a predominantly a bed supplier, though they diversified into Covid testing during the pandemic and were put forward via the VIP route by now Lord Andrew Lansley. Accora went on to be awarded a Covid testing contract worth over £18 million in 2020. Please note we are not suggesting any wrong doing by any party involved.
Tim Drake is a senior member of the UK brethren and is heavily involved in the brethren equity fund which supports brethren businesses. Drake has been named as a director on the back of these equity investments on a number of companies.
Our investigation also found that the registered address for TMVO Ltd was in 2005 owned by the Drake family but has since been converted to flats.
Tim & Samuel Drake of Cambridge incorporated a company called TMVO Ltd on the 21st April, 2005. The registered office being 40 Cambridge Place, Cambridge , CB2 1NS. TMVO Ltd was registered with the UK Electoral Commission as a Non-Party campaigner (3rd Party). According to the Electoral Commission TMVO Ltd raised almost £10,000 in donations and spent over £24,000 including an amount in Scotland. There are no further details of what this spend encompassed or who made the donations.
It is also of note that we have been informed by different ex-brethren members, that the Drake's were instrumental in supporting the delivery of election leaflets in the Cambridge area for the Conservative MP (at that time) Andrew Lansley.
The Drake family business is called Accora Ltd, they are a predominantly a bed supplier, though they diversified into Covid testing during the pandemic and were put forward via the VIP route by now Lord Andrew Lansley. Accora went on to be awarded a Covid testing contract worth over £18 million in 2020. Please note we are not suggesting any wrong doing by any party involved.
Tim Drake is a senior member of the UK brethren and is heavily involved in the brethren equity fund which supports brethren businesses. Drake has been named as a director on the back of these equity investments on a number of companies.
Our investigation also found that the registered address for TMVO Ltd was in 2005 owned by the Drake family but has since been converted to flats.
Donations
Despite the Plymouth Brethren not voting in elections due to their doctrine in regard to the will of God. We have found evidence of two brethren members donating to the Conservative Party, via their companies.
The first made by Trimline Group Ltd, a company owned by brethren member Bruce Hazell. The donation for £6,500 was made in July 2014 to the Witney constituency association of PM David Cameron. It is worth noting that Trimline Group Ltd was only incorporated in April 2016, so we are unsure how it passed the donation checks in July 2014. The timing of this donation is interesting as it coincides with the brethren charity commission saga.
The first made by Trimline Group Ltd, a company owned by brethren member Bruce Hazell. The donation for £6,500 was made in July 2014 to the Witney constituency association of PM David Cameron. It is worth noting that Trimline Group Ltd was only incorporated in April 2016, so we are unsure how it passed the donation checks in July 2014. The timing of this donation is interesting as it coincides with the brethren charity commission saga.
The second and more recent donation was made by KB Packaging Ltd, a company owned by brethren member Keith Birch. The donation was £475 a month between October 2019 & March 2020, towards the rent in the constituency of Conservative Darren Henry MP for Broxtowe. In total the donation was valued at £2,850.
In the grand scheme of donations, these are small donations. It is however worthy of note, that both Keith Birch & Bruce Hazell were the main two faces of the Plymouth Brethren in the House of Commons lobby throughout the Charity Commission case.
It also of note that Bruce Hazell is the uncle of Anthony Hazell. Anthony being the Unispace founder who was in conversation and email exchange with Tory MP & Minister Michael Gove prior to the Unispace PPE contract award.
This isn't the last time we will hear about donations of a political kind from Bruce Hazell! He is also involved in a much larger donation for the Bush campaign in 2004 in the USA.
It also of note that Bruce Hazell is the uncle of Anthony Hazell. Anthony being the Unispace founder who was in conversation and email exchange with Tory MP & Minister Michael Gove prior to the Unispace PPE contract award.
This isn't the last time we will hear about donations of a political kind from Bruce Hazell! He is also involved in a much larger donation for the Bush campaign in 2004 in the USA.
Lobbying
In the course of our investigation, we heard many stories of brethren lobbying local MP's. We found that just a cursory glance through the timelines of many Tory MP's provides evidence to support. We have found pictures of MP's with members of the brethren , usually taken in the company premises of the brethren member. A selection below.
Rishi Sunak - PM
Jeremy Hunt - Chancellor
Suella Braverman - Ex Home Secretary
Claire Coutinho - Energy Security Secretary
Michelle Donelan - Science & Innovation Secretary
Grant Shapps - Defence Secretary
Henry Smith MP
David Morris MP
Robert Halfon MP
Flick Drummond MP
Rishi Sunak - PM
Jeremy Hunt - Chancellor
Suella Braverman - Ex Home Secretary
Claire Coutinho - Energy Security Secretary
Michelle Donelan - Science & Innovation Secretary
Grant Shapps - Defence Secretary
Henry Smith MP
David Morris MP
Robert Halfon MP
Flick Drummond MP
Australia
The support and involvement of the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church with the Liberal Party in Australia is well documented. Michael Bachelard in his fantastic book (Behind the Exclusive Brethren), writes about private meeting with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard.
Rather than try to replicate the superb work done by the likes of Michael Bachelard in Australia, we thought it would be sensible to provide a number of links to the Australian stories.
Rather than try to replicate the superb work done by the likes of Michael Bachelard in Australia, we thought it would be sensible to provide a number of links to the Australian stories.
The wikipedia page giving an overview of Michael Bachelard's book 'Behind the Exclusive Brethren' . We thoroughly recommend reading this fascinating insight to the exclusive Plymouth Brethren.
A superb insight to how the exclusive Plymouth Brethren operate politically. Written by Michael Bachelard in 2016
The response to the above story by Malcolm Turnbull.
A 2020 article in True Crime Weekly, showing how the NSW government worked with brethren charity RRT.
The 2006 story of how the exclusive brethren funded attack ads in Tasmania.
New Zealand
Similar to Australia some of the involvement of the Brethren in New Zealand elections and their support for Don Brash of the National Party are again well documented. A recommended read is the fantastic 'The Hollow Men' by Nicky Hager.
A fantastic recent article in the Post by ex-brethren member Craig Hoyle, showing both the links to NZ Prime Minister Christoper Luxon and how the exclusive Plymouth Brethren businesses operate.
A 2017 piece showing how the exclusive Plymouth Brethren were praying for a National Party win.
The well documented story of how the Don Brash campaign blew up in 2005 thanks in part to the exclusive brethren.
The remarkable story that the exclusive brethren hired private investigators to tail Helen Clark's husband.
USA
In the US there is an interesting story around a donation made to the GOP (Republican Party) in Florida at the start of the century.
It involved leading UK Brethren member Bruce Hazell and a donation in the hundreds of thousands to the Bush campaign. Hazell was to be heavily involved in the Charity commission appeal and was a regular figure in the House of Commons.
Hazell as we highlighted earlier made a donation via his company Trimline Group Ltd to the Conservatives in 2014. This donation was earlier and shrouded in controversy.
The story starts with a mysterious group called The Thanksgiving 2004 Committee that spent more than $500,000 on newspaper ads in 2004, the ads were in support of President Bush & Florida senate candidate Mel Martinez.
The funds had been raised from residents in 18 states, plus one donation of an incredible $377,262 from Bruce Hazell in London. Strangely none of the donations came from Florida, despite being use to support Mel Martinez.
The committee was formed by a group of brethren male members from across the USA. Remember the brethren do not vote & their doctrine is that the winners of elections will be at the will of God. In response to questions by St. Petersburg Times the lead contact person for the group Steve Truan of Knoxville, said the group likes "fly beneath the radar" and refused to talk about all the ads. All of which had been placed by a Knoxville advertising agency whose owners refused to answer questions. Calls made by the St. Petersburg Times to other members of the committee were not returned.
They did however make contact with Bruce Hazell at his London Office, he confirmed he was a member of the brethren. He stated that that the reasons he donated so much money to an American election committee were complicated and offered to explain later. When a reporter called him at the appointed hour, a secretary said Hazell "just popped out" and wouldn't be back until next week. "He had to suddenly rush out," she said.
The report goes on to state that
"The ads included a full page in the New York Times and a smaller one in the Tampa Tribune supporting the president, and a quarter-page ad in the St. Petersburg Times endorsing Republican Mel Martinez for U.S. Senate because of his support for traditional marriage.
Both campaigns denied knowing anything about the committee or its members.
"The president thought we had gotten rid of this kind of shadowy activity," said White House spokesman Taylor Gross. "I have never heard of this group."
"We are clueless on this one," said Martinez Senate spokeswoman Melissa Shuffield.
The ads were placed by Doughtery & Associates, a Knoxville advertising agency that refused to provide details on where the ads were purchased or how much they cost. The committee paid the agency almost $530,000. The only other expenditure noted in reports filed last month was $982 to a Michigan printer for door hanger ads. The Thanksgiving Committee was formed Oct. 25, four days after the deadline for reporting pre-election campaign expenditures. A report listing contributions was filed Dec. 3. It listed contributions from various other states, but none from Florida. After the election the committee reported a cash balance of $107,880"
A truly remarkable story in many ways, yet as we report the attempts to lobby, influence & donate to right wing political parties across the world is no longer an unusual activity within the exclusive Plymouth Brethren.
It involved leading UK Brethren member Bruce Hazell and a donation in the hundreds of thousands to the Bush campaign. Hazell was to be heavily involved in the Charity commission appeal and was a regular figure in the House of Commons.
Hazell as we highlighted earlier made a donation via his company Trimline Group Ltd to the Conservatives in 2014. This donation was earlier and shrouded in controversy.
The story starts with a mysterious group called The Thanksgiving 2004 Committee that spent more than $500,000 on newspaper ads in 2004, the ads were in support of President Bush & Florida senate candidate Mel Martinez.
The funds had been raised from residents in 18 states, plus one donation of an incredible $377,262 from Bruce Hazell in London. Strangely none of the donations came from Florida, despite being use to support Mel Martinez.
The committee was formed by a group of brethren male members from across the USA. Remember the brethren do not vote & their doctrine is that the winners of elections will be at the will of God. In response to questions by St. Petersburg Times the lead contact person for the group Steve Truan of Knoxville, said the group likes "fly beneath the radar" and refused to talk about all the ads. All of which had been placed by a Knoxville advertising agency whose owners refused to answer questions. Calls made by the St. Petersburg Times to other members of the committee were not returned.
They did however make contact with Bruce Hazell at his London Office, he confirmed he was a member of the brethren. He stated that that the reasons he donated so much money to an American election committee were complicated and offered to explain later. When a reporter called him at the appointed hour, a secretary said Hazell "just popped out" and wouldn't be back until next week. "He had to suddenly rush out," she said.
The report goes on to state that
"The ads included a full page in the New York Times and a smaller one in the Tampa Tribune supporting the president, and a quarter-page ad in the St. Petersburg Times endorsing Republican Mel Martinez for U.S. Senate because of his support for traditional marriage.
Both campaigns denied knowing anything about the committee or its members.
"The president thought we had gotten rid of this kind of shadowy activity," said White House spokesman Taylor Gross. "I have never heard of this group."
"We are clueless on this one," said Martinez Senate spokeswoman Melissa Shuffield.
The ads were placed by Doughtery & Associates, a Knoxville advertising agency that refused to provide details on where the ads were purchased or how much they cost. The committee paid the agency almost $530,000. The only other expenditure noted in reports filed last month was $982 to a Michigan printer for door hanger ads. The Thanksgiving Committee was formed Oct. 25, four days after the deadline for reporting pre-election campaign expenditures. A report listing contributions was filed Dec. 3. It listed contributions from various other states, but none from Florida. After the election the committee reported a cash balance of $107,880"
A truly remarkable story in many ways, yet as we report the attempts to lobby, influence & donate to right wing political parties across the world is no longer an unusual activity within the exclusive Plymouth Brethren.
SWEDEN
The political activity in Sweden in 2006 is probably the most unusual involving the brethren. The number of brethren in Sweden is likely very small in terms of numbers (under a 1,000 maybe well under!) and it is also unusual as it also involves brethren based in the UK.
The story was uncovered by a Swedish blogger. Who was trying to find out who was behind a company called Nordas Sverige,who were campaigning for the right-wing alliance. Spending millions of Krona paying for ads in some of Sweden's biggest newspaper, they were also doing direct marketing in many parts of Sweden, leafleting and putting flyers on cars in many places.
Aftonbladet (Sweden's largest daily tabloid) working with the blogger tracked the company that the money was being channelled through to a Liverpool, UK based company called Nordas Ltd (since dissolved and not linked to the Nordas Ltd incorporated by non brethren directors in 2010). The directors & shareholders being members of the exclusive Plymouth Brethren. Aftonbladet tracked down one of the founders Maxwell Haughton but he refused to answer why a British company were spending millions on a Swedish election.
One story that left us scratching our heads!
The story was uncovered by a Swedish blogger. Who was trying to find out who was behind a company called Nordas Sverige,who were campaigning for the right-wing alliance. Spending millions of Krona paying for ads in some of Sweden's biggest newspaper, they were also doing direct marketing in many parts of Sweden, leafleting and putting flyers on cars in many places.
Aftonbladet (Sweden's largest daily tabloid) working with the blogger tracked the company that the money was being channelled through to a Liverpool, UK based company called Nordas Ltd (since dissolved and not linked to the Nordas Ltd incorporated by non brethren directors in 2010). The directors & shareholders being members of the exclusive Plymouth Brethren. Aftonbladet tracked down one of the founders Maxwell Haughton but he refused to answer why a British company were spending millions on a Swedish election.
One story that left us scratching our heads!
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