The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into a Christian charity due to “serious” concerns raised about unauthorised payments and governance failings.
The regulator is investigating The Matt 6.3 Charitable Trust, a charity with the purpose of advancing and promoting the Christian faith.
The commission said it became aware of issues in October 2024 and the charity’s advisers directed trustees to cease all unauthorised payments to connected parties and appoint an independent board of trustees.
“However, some payments continued to be made and the charity has so far not recruited any independent trustees,” the regulator said.
The charity’s latest accounts for the year to the end of March 2024 were submitted 123 days late and were qualified, because its auditor had concerns over the charity’s governance.
The Matt 6.3 Charitable Trust’s previous accounts for the year ending March 2023 were also filed late – by 111 days.
The regulator said it has now escalated its engagement with the charity to a statutory inquiry.
“This will examine the extent to which the trustees are complying with their legal duties in respect to the administration, governance and management of the charity,” the regulator said.
The regulator will investigate management of conflicts of interest and private benefit at the charity, and whether it has appropriate policies and procedures in place.
The inquiry will also examine the extent to which the charity’s trustees have complied with previously issued and professional advice.
The Matt 6.3 Charitable Trust could not be reached for comment.
