Update on Afghan Heroes inquiry
The Charity Commission publishes an update on its inquiry into the charity Afghan Heroes (registered charity number 1132340).
The Commission opened an inquiry into Afghan Heroes registered charity number (1132340) on 22 November 2013. The reasons for opening the inquiry and the immediate actions taken by the inquiry are contained in an earlier public statement. The Commission subsequently appointed an interim manager on 5 February 2014 to take over the management and administration of the charity to the exclusion of the charity’s trustees and to act to protect the charity’s interests and assets. The statutory inquiry remains ongoing while the claim against the charity’s former professional fundraiser is progressed by the charity’s interim manager, and the potential for other claims are explored.
The actions taken by the interim manager are summarised in the annual report accompanying the charity’s annual accounts for the financial year ending 31 December 2015 which have now been published.
On 24 February 2015 the Commission exercised its statutory powers to remove the 2 remaining trustees of Afghan Heroes under section 79 (2)(a) of the Charities Act 2011. The consequence of this removal is that both of the former trustees are now disqualified from acting as a charity trustee or a trustee for any other charity under the provisions of section 178 Charities Act 2011.
The Commission is unable to comment further on the inquiry, the information provided in the charity’s most recently published annual report and accounts, or the circumstances relating to the removal of the 2 trustees whilst the inquiry is ongoing. The Commission will publish the inquiry’s findings and conclusions when the case is concluded, as is normal at the end of an inquiry. The Commission recognises the continued public interest in this inquiry but it involves a number of legal complexities. The Commission is working to complete the remaining aspects of the inquiry as quickly as possible but cannot give a specific timescale for the report’s publication.
The charity’s details and accounts can be viewed on the Commission’s online charity search tool.
Ends
PR 62/16
Notes to editors
- The Charity Commission is the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work, see our annual report.
- Search for charities on our online register.
- Section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 gives the Commission the power to institute inquiries. The opening of an inquiry gives the Commission access to a range of investigative, protective and remedial legal powers.
Read more information on the Commission’s policy and factors taken into account when deciding to issue a press release.
Press office
Email pressenquiries@charitycommission.gov.uk
Out of hours press office contact number: 07785 748787