The Charity Commission is assessing concerns raised in media reports about some branches of the Royal British Legion (RBL) in Northern Ireland.
The armed forces charity is being looked into by the commission after concerns were reported in the national media regarding at least three of its branches.
BBC News reported concerns last month that almost £100,000 in donations was allegedly not spent as intended and used to refurbish a branch building in Tandragee.
The Charity Commission opened and closed a compliance case in 2024 over a reported misapplication of funds at the same branch.
This month, BBC News said it obtained internal documents which reveal fresh concerns about branches in Antrim, Tandragee and Finaghy, as well as district committees.
In regard to the fresh allegations, a commission spokesperson said: “We are assessing concerns raised in the media relating to other branches of the charity to determine next steps.”
Compliance concerns about a property sale, how Poppy Appeal donations might be spent, and allegations about a loss of charitable funds were among those flagged in BBC reporting.
The RBL has about 70 branches in Northern Ireland.
Specific branch concerns
The Antrim branch has not filed accounts for five years and was not responding to communications from RBL’s headquarters, BBC News reported.
Concerns were raised that branch money was being used to support its independent social club.
RBL social clubs are separate from the charity but pay a license fee to use the legion’s name.
The probe found that the Antrim branch sold charity property for £156,000 but had put the proceeds into the club’s bank account instead of the charity’s.
RBL’s Finaghy branch allegedly let a church use part of its building on cheap rent of £300 per month which ate into charity money.
An internal investigation found that almost £20,000 in RBL charitable funds over 11 years was lost as a result.
The branch has since been closed and the building listed for sale.
NI committee under central control
In a statement to BBC News, RBL headquarters said: "The RBL Northern Ireland district committee has been under the administrative control of the RBL's membership council since March 2024, after our regular procedures identified activity which did not meet our standards for governance, compliance, behaviour and values.
"Since then, we have carried out a number of investigations and taken action to address the issues identified.
"We have recently appointed a new Northern Ireland district committee, with a new chair, who are being supported by senior members and staff.
"However, there is still work to be done to bring the Northern Ireland district out of central administrative control, but we are confident that progress is being made.
"As one of the largest membership organisations in the UK, it is important that we operate to the highest standards."
Contacted by Civil Society for further comment, a RBL spokesperson said: “It is of the upmost importance that the RBL operates to the highest standards, and we will always engage with the Charity Commission to address any concerns.”
