Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee

• Type: Ministry of Magic Committee
• Department: Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes
• Jurisdiction: Enforcement of the International Statute of Secrecy

The Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee is a division within the Ministry of Magic tasked with a critical component of maintaining the secrecy of the wizarding world. Its primary function is to invent and disseminate plausible, non-magical explanations for incidents of magic that have been witnessed by Muggles. When a breach of the International Statute of Secrecy occurs, the Committee works in conjunction with other divisions of the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes, such as the Accidental Magic Reversal Squad and the Obliviators. While Obliviators may erase or modify the memories of Muggle witnesses directly, the Committee's work provides a necessary cover story for any lingering evidence or widespread public awareness that cannot be entirely contained by Memory Charms. Their excuses are designed to be mundane and believable enough for the non-magical community to accept, preventing panic or suspicion.

The Committee's work is mentioned on a few occasions, typically in relation to major magical disturbances.

• The Loch Ness Monster Incident: Arthur Weasley mentions that the Committee had a “tough job” when the Loch Ness Monster, a magical creature, revealed itself. The Committee was presumably responsible for reinforcing the Muggle perception of the creature as a hoax or a case of mistaken identity, even as Obliviators were dispatched to deal with direct witnesses like the Campbell family.
• The Quidditch World Cup Riot (1994): Following the riot by Death Eaters and the casting of the Dark Mark at the Quidditch World Cup, the Committee was tasked with explaining the chaos to the Muggle campsite manager, Mr. Roberts, and his family. Arthur Weasley noted that he was working with the Committee to push the excuse that the trouble was caused by “over-zealous Irish supporters” getting out of hand after their team's victory.

The Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee serves as a key world-building element, illustrating the bureaucratic and logistical challenges of concealing an entire magical society from the non-magical world. Its existence demonstrates the thoroughness of the Ministry of Magic's operations and the constant effort required to uphold the International Statute of Secrecy. The Committee's work, as described by Arthur Weasley, adds depth to his character by showing the often-unglamorous but vital nature of his work within the Ministry, highlighting his dedication and the pressures he faces.

The Muggle-Worthy Excuse Committee is a detail found exclusively within the original novels. It is not mentioned or depicted in the film adaptations of the Harry Potter series.