Charity Commission opens inquiry into charity exposed in Dispatches

18 August 2011

The Charity Commission has opened an inquiry into housing charity, the Meridian Foundation, exposed in a recent Channel 4 Dispatches undercover investigation.  

Meridian's property empire extends across greater Manchester and the north west of England. It has a turnover of hundreds of thousands of pounds with much of that money from the taxpayer in the form of Housing Benefit.

A spokeswoman for the Charity Commission confirmed it had received 25 complaints about the charity after the programme was broadcast.

In a statement, she said: "Concerns have been raised regarding the treatment of beneficiaries of the charity, including some classed as vulnerable beneficiaries.

"As part of our investigation, we will consider the risks to the charity's beneficiaries, its financial controls and management, any conflicts of interest and whether there has been any mismanagement or misconduct on the part of the trustees.

"We will also consider the Meridian Foundation's role and relationship with non-charitable organisations including Meridian Investments (Manchester)."

The Charity Commission said it could not investigate issues relating to the quality of accommodation, which was the responsibility of the local authority and other regulators.

 

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