Protestors gather at Scientology’s UK headquarters

Protestors gathered at the gates of Scientology’s headquarters in the United Kingdom last weekend, despite gale-force winds and stormy weather.

The demonstration was timed to coincide with the annual gathering of the Church of Scientology’s official membership body, the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) and marks the fourth consecutive year that protestors joined forces outside their UK headquarters near East Grinstead, Sussex. Signs carried messages of kindness and compassion, asking questions like “When was the last time you saw your family? They love you and so do we”, and “What happens when you try to leave?”

The annual IAS event has seen growing resentment among local residents, who last year complained of the “chaos” and “disruption” it brings to the otherwise quiet, rural town. Thousands of faithful parishioners descend upon East Grinstead every October to hear reclusive leader Captain David Miscavige address his loyal followers, with celebrity Scientologists Tom Cruise and Nancy Cartwright often seen in the audience. Cruise’s helicopter arrived in the area on Thursday.

On Saturday, the controversial church’s top donors received awards for their financial contributions over the year and the event concluded with a charity concert on Sunday, at which £50,000 cheques were presented to a number of charities based in the UK and Ireland.

This year, protest organiser Alex Barnes-Ross used the opportunity to make a formal complaint to Sussex Police regarding abuse, human trafficking and modern slavery that he claims has been prevalent within Scientology for decades. In a letter, which he presented to local Police Chief Sgt. Doug Johnson, he provided the contact details for more than a dozen survivors who are ready to come forward.

Dear Sussex Police,

Following a recent meeting with Officers in the [redacted] Unit and the [redacted] Team at New Scotland Yard, on the advice of Detective Chief Inspector [redacted] and [redacted] I would like to make a formal report concerning abuse within the Church of Scientology at their Saint Hill Compound.

Abuse and modern slavery are prevalent within the organisation and has been for decades. It is a totalitarian, extremist group that poses a danger to the general public.

In 1971, the UK government published the Foster Report, an inquiry into the practice and effects of Scientology. The report found the practice of Scientology amounted to psychotherapy, and recommended legislation that would regulate the profession in order to minimise harm. It described Scientology as “socially harmful,” noting “it can and does cause harm to those who are subjected to its practices.”

Thirteen year later, in 1984, the High Court Judge Mr. Justice Latey ruled Scientology was “dangerous, harmful and sinister,” describing it as “out to capture people, especially children and impressionable young people.” The judgment went on to explain “The objective of Scientology is to capture the child and its mind. The auditing — the processing — begins at an early age… I agree…Scientology training is training for slavery.”

Subsequently, in 1999 the Charity Commission rejected Scientology’s application for charity status, determining that “it does not benefit the public.”

However, despite these historic concerns, Scientology has continued its practices in the United Kingdom largely free from scrutiny. It currently operates through an Australian-registered entity known as ‘Church of Scientology Religious Education College, Inc’ and after its buildings were designated places of public worship, it has been allowed to grant Religious Worker and Minister of Religion visas since 2023 despite staff members being required to work 16-hour days, 7 days a week with no time off and a weekly stipend of just 50.

Over the last seven decades, the media have widely reported former members’ stories that allege human trafficking, modern slavery, harassment and financial extortion — and to date, little action has been taken to support survivors and put an end to the abuse.

New Scotland Yard have reviewed the information contained in this letter through my liaison with [redacted] and they have advised “that the allegations relate to the Scientology Centre in East Grinstead, which falls within the jurisdiction of Sussex Police. With this, the usual process would be for the local force to take ownership of any investigation.”

Please find below a list of victims and survivors, who are ready and willing to speak with the Police about what they experienced and/or witnessed.

I am also a survivor of abuse and modern slavery within Scientology, and would be more than willing to provide a statement.

Kind regards

Alex Barnes-Ross

After gathering outside Scientology’s property on Friday, protestors assembled on the High Street in East Grinstead on Saturday to hand out leaflets and speak with local residents. The leaflet included information about the church’s failed attempt to ban protestors and questioned the “close relationship” between the church and the local town Council. This was the first time in four years the sitting Mayor did not attend Scientology’s annual gathering.