Regulator probes ‘serious and significant’ safeguarding failings at Christian charity

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland has launched a statutory inquiry into the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and its affiliated organisations following a review by the Christian charity that highlighted safeguarding failings.

The probe is being launched to reflect “the serious nature of the concerns raised” in the church’s review.

The regulator aims to work with the charity’s trustees to ensure safeguarding and governance concerns are “addressed and appropriate remedial steps put in place”.

“Safeguarding is fundamental to maintaining public trust in charities,” said the Commission’s chief executive Frances McCandles.

“Every charity must make the safety and wellbeing of those they serve their highest priority.”

The regulator is also urging victims involved to contact Victim Support NI.

Last month the Police Service of Northern Ireland announced it was launching a criminal investigation into the concerns.

Commenting on the charity regulator’s announcement this week assistant chief constable Davy Beck said that its investigation “remains active and will not be affected by the Charity Commission’s Inquiry processes”.

“We are working closely with the Charity Commission and with other statutory and community safeguarding partners,” he said.

“This coordinated approach ensures that any concerns raised are fully examined and that appropriate steps are taken to address any criminality and to protect those who have been harmed and need help and support to access a wide range of services.”

Following the church’s investigation its moderator Rev Dr Trevor Gibben said that “it has become clear that there have been serious and significant failings in the central safeguarding functions” at the charity.

“As a result of this, people have been placed at risk. We are aware of a number of people who have been harmed, and we believe there may well be others as yet unknown to us. We apologise unreservedly for this,” said Gibben, who has stood down from his role, as failings highlighted in the review took place while he was general secretary at the Church.