Minister clarifies after charities told 'stick to knitting'

The minister responsible for David Cameron's Big Society agenda has clarified his comments after he was criticised for telling charities they should be "sticking to their knitting" and staying out of politics.

Brooks Newmark reportedly told a conference on social action, "The important thing charities should be doing is sticking to their knitting and doing the best they can to promote their agenda, which should be about helping others."

Alexandra Runswick, director of campaign group Unlock Democracy, said Mr Newmark's words were "condescending", and argued that charities "should be able to advocate, not just knit".

This morning Mr Newmark clarified that charities "absolutely have right to campaign" but stressed that they "should stay out of realm of 'party' politics".