The Times reported on 5 November 2022 that a National Trust staff member and volunteer said they had been suspended by the charity after criticising it in letters published online.

‘The pair wrote separately to express concerns about the way staff and volunteers are treated by the trust, and not being able to speak out.

Their letters were published on the Restore Trust campaign group’s website, on its “letters to the editor” page, in the past six weeks. Restore Trust was established to remind the charity of its original purpose of protecting the nation’s heritage, and has called for the creation of an independent ombudsman to oversee its work. The proposal will be voted on at the National Trust’s annual general meeting in Bath today.

Restore’s director Zewditu Gebreyohanes, 23, told The Times: “The suspensions are very disappointing. It demonstrates the need for an ombudsman or some way to make the National Trust accountable. Some staff members and volunteers feel silenced.”

The National Trust did not comment on the suspension allegations, but said it always supported staff and volunteers raising concerns. It said it has a confidential service that allows people to raise issues with independent advisers. A spokesman said: “These will always be investigated and no-one is ever punished for complaining.” ‘