The Orthodox Jewish charity Raleigh has asked for a review of the Charity Commission’s decision to open a formal inquiry into concerns about "serious governance failures and financial mismanagement" at the charity.
The charity, whose objects include "the advancement of the Orthodox Jewish faith", "the advancement of Orthodox Jewish religious education" and "the relief of poverty, sickness and infirmity among members of the Jewish faith", has applied to the charity tribunal for the review. It has also asked the regulator to carry out an internal review of its decision to open the inquiry.
The Charity Commission opened a regulatory compliance case – an investigation that does not involve its statutory powers – into the charity in August. In October, it escalated this to a statutory inquiry after discussions with the trustees.
A spokeswoman for the regulator said it had opened an internal review into the decision to open the inquiry. She said its concerns related to "serious governance failures and financial mismanagement" at Raleigh, but she was unable to provide further details.
The charity’s annual reports, filed with the Charity Commission, show its income in the financial year 2009/10 was £125,000 and its spending was £21,386. In 2010/11 it had no income and spent £30,754.
Third Sector was unable to contact the charity for comment.
