Inquiry · Opened 27 April 2026
The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigations into the Charity Commission
From: Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
What this inquiry is asking
This inquiry examines the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman's investigations into failures by the Charity Commission. It focuses on two specific cases (Miss A and Mr U) where the Ombudsman issued Special Reports in April 2026, investigating whether the Charity Commission mishandled complaints or regulatory decisions, and what systemic failures may have occurred.
Status / emerging findings
- Ombudsman issued Special Reports on Miss A and Mr U cases on 9 April 2026, triggering parliamentary scrutiny
- Deputy PHSO Karl Banister submitted formal correspondence to the committee on 30 April 2026
- Inquiry opened 27 April 2026 with only one publication so far; no evidence sessions yet held
- Investigation remains in early phase with limited public documentation released to date
Why it matters
The Ombudsman's intervention suggests the Charity Commission may have systematically failed complainants, potentially undermining public trust in charity regulation and oversight.
Themes
Key witnesses
Karl Banister, Deputy Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (organisation), Charity Commission (organisation)
Next events
2 June 2026 · 09:30 · Formal meeting (oral evidence session)
Untitled
Written evidence & correspondence
Themes & actors
Topics across publication summaries
Top organisations & named entities
- Karl Banister·1 reference
- Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO)·1 reference
- Charity Commission·1 reference
- Simon Hoare MP·1 reference
- Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee·1 reference
- Miss A·1 reference
- Mr U·1 reference
- Speaker of the House of Commons·1 reference
Source · parliament.uk inquiry record ↗