The Charity Commission will not action against the National Trust over the charity’s publishing of a report examining the links between its properties with colonialism and slavery.

The report was released last September and led to criticism from the public that the National Trust had acted outside its purpose as a charity.

This included the National Trust highlighting the links between Winston Churchill’s home and colonialism.

The regulator had opened a compliance case last year into the concerns but has found the charity has not breached charity law and there are no grounds for regulatory action.

The commission has also welcomed a National Trust commitment to take into account the wide range of views and opinions of its membership and wider society.

“We take all complaints about charities seriously and given the level of scrutiny of this matter and the reputational risks to this much-loved household name charity, it is right that we examined this matter in detail,” said Charity Commission director of regulatory services Helen Earner.

“In this instance, the National Trust was able to provide us with a well-reasoned response, supported by clear evidence of how it had carefully considered how this interim report fitted with its charitable objects, and we are satisfied that there are no grounds for regulatory action against the Trust.

“We have already seen and welcome the charity’s commitment to learning from and responding to its recent experience, including in ensuring the Trust always remains an organisation that people of diverse opinion and positions feel able to support”.

In response to the conclusion of the National Trust case, NCVO interim chief executive Sarah Vibert said: “It is welcome that the Charity Commission has categorically affirmed the right of charities to intervene in political issues that fit within their purpose.

“There will always be implications of getting involved in high profile debates but the right for charities to act and speak independently is fundamental - contributing their expertise can add significant value and insight in navigating important issues.”

Charity Commission chief executive Helen Stephenson said that “people rightly have high expectations of charities, and when their actions cause controversy it is our job to listen carefully to those concerns and take robust action when necessary”.

She admitted that the regulator’s “conclusion will not satisfy everyone”.

“But I hope it is reassuring to those who raised concerns about the charity’s report, who said it made them feel uncomfortable, and concerned that the charity had lost its way, that the Commission has examined the Trust’s actions very closely,” she said.

She added: “The case of the National Trust is a reminder that people care deeply about charities and what they do, and that in the 21st Century their actions face close scrutiny, rightly.

“If your charity’s activity generates concern and upset, you will need to be ready to explain your reasons to your members and supporters, the public, the media, or politicians, and you may very well hear from the Commission.

“But as long as you can show that you were at all times driven by your charity’s purpose, and the interests of those it was set up to serve, that you have followed our guidance, and have given careful consideration to the reputational impact on your charity, the Commission will not take regulatory action.”

Former Charity Commission chair Baroness Stowell had sparked outrage, ahead of her departure earlier this year, after she urged charities to “leave party politics” out of their work.

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