Brown links 'compromised think-tank's neutrality'

A think-tank which staged at least 42 events at 11 Downing Street while Gordon Brown was Chancellor has been rapped for compromising its independence.

The Charity Commission has ordered the trustees of the Smith Institute to ensure that it is politically neutral.

The watchdog's report says between September 2005 and August 2006, 27 of the educational institute's 61 events were held at 11 Downing Street, and 15 out of 38 in 2001/02 "may have linked the Institute with the Labour Party and Government".

Out of the 111 politicians who had contributed to at least one of the institute's publication or events, the most frequent contributor was Mr Brown, on 23 occasions.

Institute director Wilf Stevenson was also rebuked over an appearance on the BBC in March last year, where he set out the future Prime Minister's agenda.

The Commission's chief executive Andrew Hind said: "The trustees did not adequately manage the risks posed to the independence of the institute."

But it did not find that the then Chancellor had used the institute to further his political aspirations.