MigrationWatch UK

MigrationWatch UK is an immigration and asylum research organisation and think-tank, which describes itself as independent and non-political, but which has been characterised by some commentators and academics as a right-wing pressure group. It was founded and is chaired by Lord Green of Deddington, a former British ambassador to Saudi Arabia. David Coleman, Professor of Demography at Oxford University, is an honorary consultant.

MigrationWatch UK was founded in December 2001 by Sir Andrew Green, a retired diplomat who served as British ambassador in Syria and Saudi Arabia.Deborah Orr states in an article in The Independent that the organisation came into being when, "after reading some of his anti-immigration letters in The Times", the then Sir Andrew approached David Coleman, Professor of Demography at Oxford University, and they subsequently set up MigrationWatch. Companies House documents indicate that the company was formally incorporated on 15 August 2002.

The company's objectives as described in its articles of association are "to conduct research into migration issues and to educate the public in the relevant facts". Coleman is now a consultant to MigrationWatch "but does not speak on its behalf" and Companies House records indicate that Coleman has no formal involvement in the company's legal entity. Companies House documentation lists two registered directors: Sir Andrew Green and his wife Lady Catherine Jane Green. No other Directors are recorded in Companies House documentation. The company secretary is David Lewis of Minehead, Somerset. The organisation has an advisory council, which is chaired by Green and whose members include David Coleman and Caroline Cox, Baroness Cox, Alp Mehmet and Roger Williams.

Unlike many think tanks, many of which receive public funds, the organisation is not registered as a charity but operates instead as a company limited by guarantee and its website states that the organisation relies on donations from the public. The company's abbreviated accounts for 2010 indicate that, at that time, it had total assets of £29,320.

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