TfL Commissioner Andy Lord faces tough questions on Scientology ads

Transport for London Commissioner Andy Lord has responded to tough questions on the network’s decision to allow Scientology adverts on the Underground at a London Assembly meeting held in July.

After receiving a “number of complaints” from members of the public relating to the ads, Liberal Democrat leader Hina Bokhari OBE asked whether the Commissioner would commit to reviewing whether it was appropriate to advertise an organisation she explained “the Government has in the past referred to as being harmful”.

High Court judge Lord Justice Latey ruled in 1984 that Scientology was a “dangerous, harmful organisation that is out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people.” Although their buildings became recognised places of worship after a 2013 Supreme Court ruling, this did not overturn the earlier Latey ruling.

In 1971, a government inquiry (the Foster Report) found that Scientology’s practices were harmful to children, amounted to psychotherapy and should therefore be regulated.

TfL has faced criticism after allowing Scientology to advertise on the London Underground, with a number of articles in the press expressing concern about the impact the ads might have on vulnerable children. Londoners rightfully questioned “why junk food ads are banned on the Tube, but not abusive cults?”

Scientology adverts at Tottenham Court Road — Scientology ads started appearing on the London Underground in January

Ex Scientologist ads at Tottenham Court Road — The campaign was met with fierce opposition, with their ads replaced by billboards promoting the Aftermath Foundation

Ads started appearing at Tottenham Court Road, one of the Underground’s busiest stations, back in January. They were then replaced in April by billboards promoting the Michael J. Rinder Aftermath Foundation, a non-profit that helps people set up new lives after leaving the controversial church. After their campaign finished, Scientology hit back with an even bigger run of adverts which included digital screens along the escalators and the entrance to the station and is understood to have cost the Church in excess of £140,000. Their campaign is expected to last until October.

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan weighed in on the controversy during Mayor’s Question Time on 22nd May, where he stated “all advertisements on the TFL network are reviewed on a case by case basis against the TFL advertising policy so it can deliver a consistent approach and ensure advertising displayed as inclusive and suitable for TFL’s diverse customers.”

In the latest development, at a London Assembly meeting on 3rd July, Liberal Democrat leader Hina Bokhari OBE asked the Transport for London Commissioner about the ads, pointing out the impact they have had on ex-Scientologists and applying pressure on TfL to review their suitability for the Tube network. Here is their exchange:

Hina Bokhari OBE AM: There is one more that I want to refer to. We in the Lib Dem group have received a number of complaints from members of the public about Scientology adverts on the TfL network, some of whom are former Scientologists and find the adverts upsetting and inappropriate. Scientology is a recognised religion, but the Government has in the past referred to the organisation as being harmful. Will you commit to reviewing whether Scientology adverts on the Tube are appropriate?

Andy Lord (Commissioner of Transport for London): That has already been done, but let me take that away and confirm.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM: What do you mean it has already been?

Andy Lord (Commissioner of Transport for London): There has already been a review completed, but let me confirm that, and I will write to the Assembly accordingly.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM: You will feed back to us about what that position is, because it seems interesting that Scientology is allowed to have adverts. Are you aware of any other religions that have the same approach to advertising across the TfL network?

Andy Lord (Commissioner of Transport for London): I do not have that detail to hand.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM: OK, it is just Scientology?

Andy Lord (Commissioner of Transport for London): I do not know.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM: OK, all right. Well, there is lots of answers that I need to come back from you, and I look forward to that.
London Assembly meeting minutes, 3rd July 2025

It is unclear what the outcome of the review was, or whether he has written to the Assembly with its outcome, but we will be sure to report on this as we receive the information.