The Charity Commission has banned trustees of The Saint George Educational Trust after a statutory inquiry found significant financial mismanagement
The charity, which is based in Hampshire, was registered in 1994 to carry out activities that advance the Catholic religion and education about the faith.
However, during the Commission’s inquiry, the regulator discovered that the charity’s bank account was being used as a conduit for money from unknown sources, and the charity was wrongly claiming Gift Aid on these funds. Some charitable assets were also being held as gold bullion by individuals unconnected to the charity.
The charity’s website and social media were also found to have posted content linked to the leader of a far-right political group, not in furtherance of its charitable purposes, as well as an Islamist terrorist organisation.
Subsequently, the Commission removed the trustees from the charity and has appointed Interim Managers, who will settle outstanding debts and redistribute any remaining charitable funds to a charity with similar charitable purposes before winding up the organisation.
The inquiry was opened in October 2022 after the regulator identified concerns that the charity was engaging in activities, including online content, that did not appear to further its religious purposes.
Findings
The inquiry has found significant governance failings, financial mismanagement, and unacceptable political activity at the charity, including:
Regulatory Action
Following the opening of its inquiry, the Commission took action to freeze over half a million pounds of the charity’s funds and ensure inappropriate content was removed from the charity’s website and social media.
With the assistance of the police, gold bullion was recovered and sold, which enabled the Commission to make orders to the police and bank, which held funds on behalf of the charity, and to repay HMRC £146,166.14 for Gift Aid wrongly obtained by the charity.
In January 2025, the trustees at that time were removed from the charity as trustees. This means that they are disqualified from serving as trustees or holding any position with senior management function in relation to any charity in England and Wales.
The Commission appointed Interim Managers to take control of the running of the charity, who secured the items held in storage, and are working to identify the charity’s liabilities in preparation for winding up and dissolution. Any remaining funds will be distributed to other Catholic charities.
Charity Commission Chief Executive, David Holdsworth, said:
Charity Commission Head of Compliance Visits and Inspections, Joshua Farbridge, said:
The full report detailing the findings of the inquiry will be published following the completion of the Interim Managers’ work in winding up and dissolving the charity.
ENDS
Notes to Editors