Charity commission to investigate Kids Company

The Charity Commission has launched an investigation into Kids Company.

The independent charity regulator will look into concerns about the administration, governance and financial management of the charity, and identify wider lessons for other charities and trustees.

Kids Company closed on 5 August due to a lack of funds. Its closure followed the charity’s chief executive Camila Batmanghelidjh agreeing to step down because of concerns about her management of the organisation.

The commission said it had been working with Kids Company since July 17, but has now made the step to launch a formal statutory inquiry.

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

A report of the inquiry’s findings will be published once it has concluded.

When news of Kids Company’s financial problems broke, Batmanghelidjh told the Guardian she believed she was “being silenced” by the government for voicing concerns over the child protection system.