Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, has called in the Charity Commission to investigate the purchase of Brierfield Mills by the Birmingham based charity, Islamic Help.

Speaking from Westminster earlier today, the MP said: "The Charity Commission informed me yesterday that they would be meeting the trustees of Islamic Help in connection with the purchase of Brierfield Mills."

"The Commission will be getting back to me next week to report on the outcome."

The MP added: "There are a million questions waiting to be answered. I want to know, first and foremost, where the money came from."

Note to editors: Afzal Anwar is a key figure in the sale of Brierfield Mills on 22 December 2009 to the Birmingham based charity, Islamic Help. 

When the plans for a 5,000 place boarding school for girls provoked a storm of protests Mr Anwar assured local people the proposals would be revised. He said "the charity would look to create a sports centre… alongside a commercial village housing start-up businesses".

1. What is the nature of the relationship between Afzal Anwar and Islamic Help?

2. Was the purchase conditional in any way on receiving planning permission for a school?

3. How big is the school proposed to be? Nadim Akram, a governor of Ghausia Girls’ High School in Nelson, and a colleague of Mr Anwar says he would prefer the school at Brierfield Mills to grow slowly with 250 girls "in the early stages".

4. How many students are expected to come from abroad, initially and later on? And what size will it eventually grow to?

5. Is Islamic Help prepared to go to appeal if their application for planning permission for a school or boarding school is turned down? Pendle Council’s stated preference is for the site to be retained for employment use.

6. Where has the money come from to purchase Brierfield Mills? How much has come from overseas donors?

7. What plans do they have to maintain the Grade 2 listed site?

8. Do the new owners intend to sell on any part of the site? Will he or his firm be involved?

9. What contact have Mr Anwar and Islamic Help had with the Charity Commission concerning the proposed Pendle Boarding School for Girls?

10. Does Mr Anwar believe that Pendle Council should give discretionary rate relief to Islamic Help in respect of Brierfield Mills? Will he urge the Council to do so?