Prisoner’s family turn down anonymous offer of help

THE family of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, a British-Iranian mother imprisoned in Iran since April 2016, have refused an anonymous offer to facilitate her release in return for £125,000, the Free Nazanin Campaign reported last week. The offer was made by an individual who claims to have “connections with the judiciary”. Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe’s husband continues to campaign for her release (News, 27 January).

Churches’ Mutual Credit Union welcomes Roman Catholics

THE Churches’ Mutual Credit Union, which offers ethical investments, deposits, and loans to churchpeople, is to extend its services to members of the Roman Catholic Church this year, beginning with the diocese of Westminster.

Government allots £375,000 to tackle hate crime

THE Government is allocating £375,000 towards tackling hate crime, the Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid, announced on Holocaust Memorial Day last Friday. The funding will be given to groups that work with faith and minority communities who have difficulties reporting hate crime.

Tesco denies false statements to conceal a ‘downturn’

TESCO has rebutted allegations by investors, including the Church Commissioners, that include the claim that it made false statements to “conceal a serious downturn” in its business. The retailer argues that the investors have made “vague and amorphous claims” that cannot be substantiated, The Times reported in January. The investors’ claim was filed with the High Court last year. They alleged that they had suffered heavy losses after Tesco’s accounting scandal in 2014.