The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into The Saint George Educational Trust over serious regulatory concerns that there is or has been misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of the charity.
In particular, concerns have been identified in relation to activities carried out by the charity that do not appear to further its religious purposes, including material it had posted online and political activity or campaigning. The Commission also has significant concerns that the charity has associations with an extreme right-wing organisation and how this furthers its religious purposes, something that the Commission has previously investigated.
The charity, based in Andover, Hampshire, has charitable purposes that include the advancement of the Catholic religion.
The inquiry will examine:
- the administration, governance, and management of the charity by the trustees - including, but not limited to, its relationships with external organisations and individuals, and use of the internet and social media
- the financial controls and management of the charity, and whether its funds have been properly expended in accordance with the charity's purposes and can be accounted for
- the conduct of the trustees
- whether or not the trustees have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities as trustees under charity law
The Commission may extend the scope of the inquiry if additional regulatory issues emerge.
Immediately following the opening of the inquiry, the Commission took action to freeze a bank account holding the charity's funds so that no one can access or move them without the Commission's prior consent.
The Commission has also ordered the trustees to review and remove content from the charity's website and social media pages that does not further the charity's purposes, and directed them not to allow such material in future. At this time the charity's website is no longer available to view.
