Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an inquiry into the events which led to the closure of the Presidents Club Charitable Trust.

This is a matter for the Charity Commission as independent registrar and regulator of charities in England and Wales. The Commission has said that, on seeing the reported events, it immediately contacted the Presidents Club Charitable Trust and called for an urgent meeting. The Commission is also engaging with the Financial Times whose investigation uncovered the activities of the Presidents Club Charity Dinner, and has requested any further evidence to ensure it can look into these matters fully and robustly. The Commission has said that it will deal robustly with any misconduct or mismanagement it finds, will consider what further regulatory action may be required and will ensure that the charity is wound up in an orderly manner and that any remaining funds are distributed correctly. The Commission has also confirmed that it is in discussion with Equality and Human Rights Commission about these matters.