Scientologists planning 'biggest gathering ever' in bizarre stunt at religion’s UK HQ

Scientologists will hold their “greatest gathering” at a hidden-away mansion in the UK to celebrate the “heroic things” they do for humanity.

Members of the cult-like religion are expected to converge at their British headquarters at the former home of their founder L Ron Hubbard.

The huge mansion and grounds in East Grinstead, West Sussex, were purchased by Mr Hubbard in 1959 from the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Now the venue serves as a church for the Scientology movement, as well as a base for operations in the UK. Internationally the group boasts famous members including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

Scientologists will hold their “greatest gathering” at a hidden-away mansion in the UK to celebrate the “heroic things” they do for humanity.

Members of the cult-like religion are expected to converge at their British headquarters at the former home of their founder L Ron Hubbard.

The huge mansion and grounds in East Grinstead, West Sussex, were purchased by Mr Hubbard in 1959 from the Maharaja of Jaipur.

Now the venue serves as a church for the Scientology movement, as well as a base for operations in the UK. Internationally the group boasts famous members including Tom Cruise and John Travolta.

According to the Guardian, current Scientology leader David Miscavige is flying in from the US for the gathering, but protesters are also expected to converge on the location.

he paper says a peaceful protest against the church had been organised by Alexander Barnes-Ross who said it would be “sending Scientology a clear message: the abuse must stop”.

In April this year in the United States a court in Florida discussed human trafficking allegations made against Mr Miscavige. However, the judge ruled the court could not intervene as the accusers had signed agreements to resolve any disputes by a church arbitration panel.

In August this year the church described claims made against it by actor Leah Remini as “allegations of pure lunacy”.

Remini, best known for US sitcoms including The King Of Queens and Kevin Can Wait, filed a lawsuit against the organisation and its leader David Miscavige.

In a statement, the actor said she had endured 17 years of “psychological torture, defamation, surveillance, harassment, and intimidation” which had “significantly” impacted her life and career. It read: “I believe I am not the first person targeted by Scientology and its operations, but I intend to be the last.”

The Church of Scientology’s response described Remini as “an anti-free speech bigot” and a “horrible person”. The statement read: “This lawsuit is ludicrous and the allegations pure lunacy.”

In a statement to the Guardian the church said the protest planned for the November gathering was organised by an “anti-Scientologist” and it said the Florida human trafficking case and Remini lawsuit were “blatant harassment”.