Lawyers representing the Church of Scientology this week confirmed that the annual IAS gathering that occurs at their UK headquarters does not involve any form of religious worship.
During a hearing at Mid-Sussex District Council in Haywards Heath, barrister Cain Ormondroyd and solicitor Peter Hodkin teamed up to represent the controversial church as the Licensing Sub-Committee reviewed their Premises Licence, which permits them to hold large events.
The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) is Scientology’s official membership body and their annual gathering – which occurs every October – has been the subject of tighter scrutiny recently due to increasing complaints from local residents of the “disruption” and “chaos” it brings to the otherwise quiet and peaceful countryside town of East Grinstead.
The event takes place in three mammoth marquees erected illegally and without planning permission on the grounds of Saint Hill Manor, with the structures spanning a whopping 85,000 square feet. Last year, Tom Cruise arrived by helicopter, “flying low” over the town, causing angry residents to complain to local papers. Thousands of faithful Scientologists travel to East Grinstead for the opportunity to hear their “dear leader” Captain David Miscavige speak, causing miles-long traffic jams and congestion throughout the town.
Pedestrians walking in and crossing the unlit Saint Hill Road was highlighted by the Council last year as a cause for concern, and loud bagpipe music played by the Church over loudspeakers on repeat was described as a “potential public nuisance”. However, during a review of their Premises Licence earlier this week, the Council performed a U-turn and claimed there was “insufficient evidence” the licensing objectives (of which preventing public nuisance is one) were not being met on the property.
In their written response, submitted prior to the hearing, Scientology argued “as the provision of entertainment incidental to a religious meeting or service, or at a place of public religious worship, is specifically exempted from being regulated entertainment – there is in fact very little that occurs at Saint Hill which is a licensable activity. Much of the activity which occurs during the 3 days of the IAS event is not a licensable activity.”
However when questioned during the hearing by former Scientologist Alex Barnes-Ross on which part of the event constitutes public religious worship, church lawyers seemed flustered before admitting “the event itself does not involve any religious worship.”
This effectively safeguards the rights of protestors who gather outside the event, which Scientology had previously suggested was “anti-religious” and disruptive to their religious worship ceremonies.
Mr. Barnes-Ross also mentioned the number of Councillors who had attended events at Saint Hill and questioned the Licensing Officer’s interactions with the church, which he said “suggests perhaps [he] was acting to protect the Church of Scientology’s interests rather than to promote the licensing objectives.” Mr Bryant denied the claims but the Committee did vote in Scientology’s favour.
Despite being provided with the Council’s own reports which detail public safety concerns with the event, video footage showing over 200 people walking in or crossing the road and press articles highlighting concerns from local residents, the Committee decided it “does not consider it has sufficient evidence to be satisfied that the licensing objective of public nuisance has been undermined or that it would be justified in modifying the licence conditions or taking other steps on this basis.”
The Church was represented by Scientologist solicitor Peter Hodkin and barrister Cain Ormondroyd of FTB Chambers and the Council were represented by Tara O’Leary from Cornerstone Barristers.
You can read the Council’s decision notice below.
