A charity has come under fire for its links to the Conversvative Party. The Charity Commission has said that it will launch an investigation into the political neutrality of the Atlantic Bridge Education and Research Scheme.

The Charity was set up by Conservative MP Liam Fox in 1997 as part of the Conservatives’ aim of maintaining the special relationship between the US and the UK.

Since its inception, the charity has brought about a network between politicians, businessmen and journalists in the US and the UK, and is listed as being registered at Portcullis House, where Westminster MPs reside.

Charities cannot have any links with political parties – or at least may not endorse a political party. However, the charity’s annual reception (which has since been cancelled), was due to take place at the Conservative Annual Conference.

The organisation became known as a charity in 2003 by claiming to be a “think tank”. However, the charity’s political alignment was drawn into question by Margaret Thatcher who, as honorary patron, called it a “bulwark against the left”.

The charity’s advisory board includes other Conservatives such as George Osborne, William Hague and Chris Grayling.

We say: It is surprising that any charity aligns itself with a political party, especially one so far to the right of British politics. The questions to be asked are: is the charity providing any benefit to the British public? The answer appears to be no… Is the charity of educational benefit? The answer may be yes, but to whom? Is the charity independent? It appears not. This is very much a closed club and the Charity commission is 100% within its rights to investigate. If the Atlantic Bridge is to be named as a sham, it would be the very first in Great Britain. Now that’s something for the Conservatives to shout about!

Rules governing charitable-status organisations state that a charity “cannot exist for a political purpose, which is any purpose directed at furthering the interests of any political party, or securing or opposing a change in the law, policy or decisions either in this country or abroad”.

Representatives of the Atlantic Bridge have so far failed to return calls.