UPDATE 17 Nov: New statement from CERT UK: ”PRESS RELEASE
WEDNESDAY 17TH NOVEMBER 2021 – 9AM
”Following our Trustees Meeting we would like to reiterate our position.
“Mr Kenneth Lowry has been removed from the Charity as a Director, Trustee and Volunteer as of 15th November 2021. We would like to make it clear that Homeless Birmingham had stepped away from CERT and was in the process of going independent, this was why they changed their Name, graphics and contact information with their new Website.
“CERT (UK) will continue the support and voluntary work within its areas of concern and support. We are in talks with the volunteers to determine if they would like to come back under the CERT (UK) umbrella. We will advise all of their decision once this has been agreed.
“The actions of one individual are not the sum actions of the Charity and those who volunteer with us. We appreciate the delicate nature of the subject and as such will not comment on this due to being advised of ongoing investigations.
“We ask that you respect the remaining volunteers of the organisation, they give their time to make a difference within the communities of which they serve and continue to support those in need.
”Kerryanne Wilde MBA, MIOD, MBII”
UPDATE 5.55pm Tues 16 Nov 2021: New statement from CERT UK Founder & Director Kerryanne Wilde MBA, MIoD, MBII: “With immediate effect Mr Kenneth Lowry is no longer a Director, Trustee or Volunteer with CERT (UK)
“Our Trustees are meeting at 8pm this evening and a further Press release will be release tomorrow, Wednesday 17th November 2021, following the outcome of this meeting.
“We ask that you respect the remaining volunteers of the organisation, they give their time to make a difference within your community and continue to support those in need.”
The director of Frankley based Homeless Birmingham – who admitted ‘paying for sex with a child’ in court – has kept his position as director of national homeless support organisation CERT UK, saying he believed he was paying for consensual, legal age services.
From Birmingham Live:
A charity boss pleaded guilty to paying for sex with a child – and has been allowed to continue in his public role.
Failed UKIP candidate Ken Lowry, 48, is a director and trustee of the national CERT UK charity and also runs his own company called Homeless Birmingham.
Last December the former soldier was nominated for a Lord Mayor‘s special recognition for helping those living on the streets during the pandemic.
Yet just weeks earlier Lowry had pleaded guilty to the offence of paying for sex with a child – a 16-year-old female – which can carry a maximum five year sentence.
In February, Lowry, from Rubery, was sentenced to a two-year community order and 40 days rehabilitation order and was also hit with a month’s curfew.
Read the full article – including comments from the victim, Mr Lowry and a representative of CERT UK – on Birmingham Live