controversy & news
The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church have courted controversy in a number of different areas, across the globe. From lobbying politicians, to donations for right wing political causes, from the treatment of ex brethren members, to the covid contracts. We look at some of the big stories.
Covid Contracts
Byline Times with our assistance report on the PPE contracts. 2020
The Times reports in conjunction with Open & Candid on the £2.2 billion covid contracts awarded to the Plymouth Brethren members. 2022
Press Progress report on the Covid Contracts awarded by the Manitoba government. 2022
The Times reports with our assistance on the Hales owned Sante Global taking the UK to court over a covid contract. 2023
The New Daily looks at the covid testing contracts awarded by the Australian Government. 2023
The New Daily with our assistance looks further into the Australian covid testing contracts, with award to Westlab. 2023
Ex Members
Dawn Raid in New Zealand for ex brethren member Braden Simmons. 2020
Stuff talk to Craig Hoyle 10 years after leaving the Plymouth Brethren. 2020
The Daily Mail reports on the story of ex brethren member Jessie Shedden. 2022
The BBC report on the story of ex brethren member Fritz Penny. 2023
The Yorkshire Evening Post, reports on the Court Case involving the Leeds brethren community taking ex brethren member Lance Christie to court for harassment. They lost.
The Sun report on the story of ex brethren member Anne Hamilton. 2023
RNZ reports on the support network set up be ex brethren member Lindy Jacomb to help those leaving the brethren. 2023
Church
Plymouth Live reports on the unsolved murder of a brethren member from 45 years ago. 2022
The Sydney Herald report on the Brethren exit from Windsor. 2022
The Age reports on Dean Hales new $7.5 million property & the Hales hiding homes from prying eyes on google. 2022
Candaland reports on the investigation by the RCMP, into brethren members alleged to have committed sexual abuse. 2022
RNZ reports on the commercial activity of the New Zealand brethren and how they structure around UBT. Sounds familiar! 2023
Planning Applications
The Daily Mail in Australia report on planning permission being granted for massive new Brisbane meeting room. 2019
The Express & Star reports on plan to build a new Campus & Co retail outlet in Stafford, UK. 2022
The Lowestoft Journal reports on a planning proposal to demolish a home purchased by a brethren member, to build a new meeting room. 2022
The Chronicle reports on nearly 150 residents opposing a new meeting room on Toowoomba's southside. 2023
The Northampton Chronicle reports on the planning application approval to convert an old office block into a OneSchool Global campus. 2023
The Yorkshire Post report on the planning application approval in East Yorkshire, UK. 2023
Hull Live report on a follow up to the above story in East Yorkshire. The councillor states he granted the application as he thought all the neighbours were brethren members! 2023
Kent Online reports on the planning application in Rainham, to replace a meeting room built in 1996 with houses and the intended move to a new site.
The Daily Echo report on planning permission being objected to in Romsey, Hampshire. Due to the 6.00am Sunday start. 2023
The Swindon Advertiser report on the controversial planning application for the new meeting room in Swindon, UK. This story was reported in many media outlets, including the BBC. 2023
Alcohol related
The West Australian reports on the tragic loss of life and the subsequent charging of a brethren member accused of driving at dangerous speed and under the influence of a blood alcohol result more than twice the legal limit. 2023
The Wilts & Gloucestershire standard reports on the jailing of a brethren member, who was found guilty of dangerous driving when almost three times over the limit, when he crashed his car leaving two people with life changing injuries. 2021
OneSchool Global
The BBC in Northern Ireland report on an interesting decline in pupil numbers at the OneSchool campus in Newry. 2023
Politicial
Nadim Zahawi the UK minister who resigned due to personal tax issues, calls out the fantastic work the brethren do for the Ukraine & local civil service. Reported in the Stratford Herald. 2022