Shadow Minister for Women Mims Davies, who sits as the Member of Parliament for East Grinstead and Uckfield, has distanced herself from the Church of Scientology after it was revealed she attended their annual gathering in 2023.
In an email, Davies urged survivors of abuse within the organisation to report their experiences to law enforcement and explained her attendance at the event in 2023 “does not convey in any way my direct personal support” for the organisation.
Scientology has recently found itself at the centre of increasing controversy in East Grinstead, where its UK headquarters is located, after protestors gathered outside the annual gathering of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) last week.
The event took place in a mammoth 45,000 square foot marquee erected without planning permission and has caused locals to complain on social media about the “chaos” and “disruption” it brought to the local area. Scientology also placed unauthorised obstructions along the public highway directly outside the entrance to their property, with a resident telling The Sun “To top things off, a minibus packed with Scientologists ended up having an accident with another driver, which meant one of the roads ended up being closed.”
After being told the harrowing story of Danielle Chamberlin, who was locked in the chain locker of Scientology’s Flagship Apollo by founder L. Ron Hubbard before being raped as a teenager at Saint Hill, Davies responded “I am very sorry to hear of your concern and experiences, and that of Danielle’s.”
She then distanced herself from Scientology. Responding to an invitation to meet with protestors outside last weekend’s IAS event, she explained “due to a pre-existing busy local diary, I was unable to attend but I have had some of my team observe.”
Here is the email, in full:
Dear Alexander,
Thank you for your email below.
Firstly, I am very sorry to hear of your concern and experiences; and that of Danielle’s that you report to me.
I however, must very strongly urge anyone who knows of abuse in any organisation in any sector, community or business to report it directly to the police.
Due to a pre-existing busy local diary, I was unable to attend but I have had some of my team observe.
My previous attendance at charity or community fundraisers via invitation and subsequent joining in with the various organisations or events and activities as the local MP does not convey in any way my direct personal support for that organisation.
Equally this would be the same for a charity event organised by the Church of Scientology or any other group – therefore it’s attended as part of my role associated with my job and being part of the wider community as would be the case of many other attendees and local councillors.
With my kind regards,
Mims
Mims Davies MP
Shadow Secretary of State for Wales & Shadow Minister for Women
