Press release

Court finds former trustees of disability charity in contempt of court

Charity Commission is successful in its first ever application to the High Court for a finding of contempt of court.

The Charity Commission welcomes the High Court’s finding of contempt of court against two former trustees of the Darren Wright Foundation, a Bristol-based charity that raised funds to support the families of people with disabilities and life-limiting illnesses.

The High Court ruled in favour of the Commission’s application, finding that Susan and Raymond Wright failed to comply with an order to supply evidence and documentation to the regulator.

The Commission has powers to require individuals to provide information, and failure to do so may amount to contempt of court.

This is the first time the regulator has pursued such a case through the courts.

The Commission continues to investigate the charity over serious concerns about its management and governance.

The Commission stresses that its statutory inquiry into the Darren Wright Foundation is ongoing, and that it has made no findings yet.

Another hearing is expected to determine the penalty against the two defendants.

ENDS

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Published 14 November 2019