Exclusive Brethren Leaders Admit Meeting Far-Right and Trump in Secret Stunt Campaign

The Plymouth Brethren Christian Church, formerly known as the Exclusive Brethren, has faced scrutiny over alleged connections between its leaders and far-right groups. Gareth Hales, the son of the church’s global leader Bruce Hales, admitted to meeting with far-right agitators and participating in secret online discussions where neo-Nazi associates and Brethren elders planned an “election influence” campaign. These efforts reportedly involved stunts targeting left-leaning MPs during the 2025 election.

In a parliamentary inquiry, Gareth Hales described the meetings as “just business,” emphasizing that they were not related to political campaigning. Bruce Hales, the church’s leader, revealed that members had met with former U.S. President Donald Trump in New York. The inquiry, examining the 2025 election, saw frequent interruptions from Coalition MPs who criticized the process as a “witch hunt” and accused it of religious discrimination.

Gareth Hales confirmed meeting with then Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and his staff in 2025, though he described the encounter as “brief.” Both Gareth and Bruce Hales denied that their church directly ordered members to campaign for the Coalition, as revealed by the publication that exposed the alleged activities. However, the inquiry found that Brethren elders had followed the prime minister’s car and plane, sharing “private intel” with neo-Nazi associates.

Committee chair Jerome Laxale and independent MP Monique Ryan expressed skepticism about the Hales’ testimony. Ryan remarked that the evidence had “all the credibility of a Melbourne weather forecast,” while Andrew Gee, an independent MP, told Gareth Hales, “I’m not buying what you’re selling.” The Hales were called to testify under threat of subpoena after leaked messages linked them to a secret stunt operation involving far-right figures.

Gareth Hales’ company, Sante Global, was implicated in the operation. A meeting between Brethren elders and far-right figures at a Sydney golf club was booked under the company’s name in April 2025. Hales maintained that the meeting was about business, but he also confirmed his involvement with key figures in the stunt operation, including Chris De Bruyne and M

[Source excerpt truncated for local AI.]

Source: Read the original report