Charity Commission formalises inquiry into Kids Company

Kids Company is to be subjected to a statutory inquiry following widespread allegations of financial mismanagement, the Charity Commission has announced.

Previously the commission was investigating the controversial charity on an operational compliance basis but this has now been scaled up to a full statutory inquiry.

Kids Company closed its doors earlier this month after it couldn’t pay its debts. Founder Camila Batmanghelidjh blamed “rumour-mongering civil servants, ill-spirited ministers and the media” for the charity's demise, saying that "unfounded" allegations of sexual abuse caused philanthropists to withdraw offers of funding.

However, in a statement the Charity Commission said its inquiry will address concerns about the administration, governance and financial management of the charity and identify wider lessons for other charities and trustees.

The commission has now formalised its engagement in a statutory inquiry in order to investigate

The commission said it has been in contact with a number of statutory and public agencies including the Insolvency Service regarding the investigation.

“In light of the intense public scrutiny and speculation over the charity’s activities, and the increasing number of allegations in the public domain about its governance and financial management, the commission has now formalised its engagement in a statutory inquiry in order to investigate and put on the public record whether or not these allegations are found to be true,” the statement said.

“This is in line with the regulator’s duty to promote public trust and confidence in charities.”

The trustees have been cooperating with the commission throughout its engagement said the commission.

Batmanghelidjh this week opened a foodbank in London alongside former employees vowing to continue to support vulnerable children.