East Grinstead Town Council issues statement, avoiding survivor meeting

East Grinstead Town Council has issued a statement, reaffirming its position that it sees no issue with the Mayor and Councillors attending events at the Church of Scientology’s UK headquarters and refusing to meet with survivors who live and work in the town.

Last month at the annual town meeting, a member of the public asked a question raising concern about the Council’s close association with the controversial Church. “Over the last three years, every Mayor of East Grinstead has attended events at Scientology’s headquarters on multiple occasions throughout the year. Today, all councillors should have received a briefing sheet explaining how scientology’s goal is to assert influence over the town.. and despite going to events at Saint Hill, we as survivors and concerned residents are yet to be given the opportunity to meet with councillors to express our concerns.

“In the interests of fairness would the current, or perhaps the incoming Mayor agree to give us just 30 minutes of their time to hear from abuse survivors and residents about the danger this organisation poses to the town and the impact mayors going to events at Saint hill has on our often marginalised community? 

The question comes amid a longstanding effort from local residents and ex-Scientologists who are seeking greater accountability from officials who associate with the so-called church. In 2024, the Daily Mail published an extensive investigation that revealed several Councillors and ex-Mayors had attended Scientology’s events at their headquarters in the town, as well as lavish red carpet film premieres where they were given the opportunity to take photographs with Tom Cruise.

Since then, every Mayor has attended the annual IAS (International Association of Scientologists) gala and/or turned on the Christmas lights at Saint Hill, as well as other major events at the property.

In response to the question at last month’s annual town meeting, East Grinstead Town Council have now issued a formal response, once again declining to meet with survivors.

Cllr Belsey shared your correspondence with me, and I am responding on behalf of the Town Council, representing the collective view of the Council.  As the role of Mayor was formally handed over to Cllr Reeves last night, I can also confirm that my response reflects her position in this matter.

The Mayor’s attendance at civic events is undertaken in an official capacity and should not be interpreted as endorsement of any organisation’s policies, beliefs, or practices.  The Council does not consider it appropriate to hold meetings based on comparisons of time spent with different groups or individuals, and therefore no meeting will be arranged on this matter.

The Town Council’s role is to serve the whole community impartially.  It is not within the Council’s remit to mediate disputes, adjudicate contested narratives, or revisit settled positions through ongoing correspondence.

East Grinstead Town Council statement (May 2026)

It is understood local residents have written in to complain to the Council, concerned that by attending events at Scientology’s headquarters and declining to meet survivors it sends a message to those who live in the town and have been harmed by the church that their voices do not matter.

East Grinstead Town Council describes itself as a “civility and respect Council”, and yet seems to only wish to engage in meaningful dialogue with residents who support or agree with Scientology.

Scientology was once found guilty of the largest infiltration of the US government in its history, known as the Snow White Project, in which thousands of covert agents were placed in various civic offices in order to gather information and sway official opinion on Scientology. Despite its history, and the UK government issuing a warning about the organisation, East Grinstead Town Council has continued to associate with the Church and send Councillors and Mayors to events in an official capacity.