Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth is urging charities to ensure they “avoid character attacks” on politicians and ensure their campaigning remains “focused on the issues relevant” to their cause.

He has made the call ahead of May’s local government elections involving councils and to the Welsh Senedd.

He also reminds charities that “while charities may give support to or raise concerns about specific policies advocated by political parties, they must never promote or criticise, or be seen to promote or criticise, an individual political party or candidate”.

Despite the warnings he has offered assurances to charities that “the Commission will continue to stand by the right of charities to campaign in furtherance of their purposes and where this is in their best interests”.

He said that any complaints by the public about charities will be assessed and “no complaint will be dismissed out of hand and no concern ignored”.

However, he said the regulator will “refuse to be dragged into complaints that seek to weaponise the legitimate work of charities”.

He added: “As we approach the Senedd and local elections the Commission will be continuing to issue materials that support charities to get it right when considering political activity and campaigning in this context.”

Among advice already issued by the regulator is its 5-minute guide on campaigning and political activity.

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