Actress Leah Remini has issued a statement applauding former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott after a bombshell letter was released last week in which she urged UK authorities to investigate Scientology’s finances for fraudulent activity.
Last week, we reported the British Member of Parliament raised concerns about Scientology’s “history of fraudulent activity internationally” and formally requested HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) to launch an investigation into their UK finances. Today in a statement published by The Underground Bunker, ‘Kings and Queens’ star Leah Remini thanked The Rt. Hon. Ms. Abbott for “not shying away from seeking the truth”, calling it an “accomplishment” and voicing her support for the move.
The investigation calls come after Scientology Business Editor Alexander Barnes-Ross (‘Apostate Alex‘) wrote to Abbott requesting help after he received backlash from the Church for speaking out, a practice known as ‘Fair Game’.
“It is from efforts like his, and the collective efforts of so many others, that Scientology will finally be taken to task for evading investigation and, ultimately, prosecution”, Remini said. “If they are not thwarted by Scientology’s usual evasive tactics, they will be successful in exposing this business-for-profit masquerading as a religion around the globe”
Remini is currently embroiled in legal battles with the Church after she filed a suit against them last year, telling Rolling Stone she has suffered “17 years of harassment, intimidation, surveillance and defamation”. In the suit, she says the “mob-style operations and attacks” she has received since leaving the group have inflicted harm on her “life and livelihood” and “significantly” affected her career.
Her documentary series ‘Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath‘ featured the heartbreaking stories of dozens of former members who have suffered as a result of time in the group and brought widespread public attention to their harmful practices. The show ran for three seasons and won two Emmy Awards; the Church responding with hate websites attacking those who took part and denouncing it as “salacious lies, bigotry and religious intolerance”.
In her letter last week, Abbott expressed concerns about Scientology’s treatment of its critics, a practice known as ‘Fair Game’, which seeks to intimidate and silence former members. “No-one should face such a horrific campaign of harassment… Other former Scientologists have also attested to the horrific treatment of former members.“
An HMRC spokesperson said: “We neither confirm nor deny investigations and cannot comment on identifiable individuals or businesses.”
Leah Remini’s support puts added pressure on the UK authorities to take action against Scientology, which has continued to operate multiple sites across the country despite being described as “a harmful movement with an evil reputation” in a 1975 government report.
You can read Leah Remini’s statement in full below:
I applaud Alex Barnes-Ross and his unrelenting efforts to expose Scientology for the criminal organization that it is around the world, and particularly in the United Kingdom.
It is from efforts like his, and the collective efforts of so many others, that Scientology will finally be taken to task for evading investigation and, ultimately, prosecution.
The fact that Alex has an MP who is not shying away from seeking the truth is an accomplishment in itself.
I support him, and I thank him — and Ms. Abbott — for asking the UK’s equivalent of the IRS to open a real investigation of Scientology.
If they are not thwarted by Scientology’s usual evasive tactics, they will be successful in exposing this business-for-profit masquerading as a religion around the globe.
And I thank you, Tony, for reporting on this very important story, and thank your supporters for continuing to champion those who fight this criminal organization.
Leah Remini statement, 24th January 2024
