The Charities Regulator has appointed inspectors to carry out an investigation into the affairs of the Peter McVerry Trust.

The watchdog said that it had been engaging with the housing charity on governance and finance-related issues since July this year, arising from correspondence sent to the regulator by the trust.

The regulator’s chief executive Helen Martin said that, while the trust had engaged with it on concerns raised about these issues, the watchdog had decided that a statutory investigation was needed.

“In order to ensure that there is no unnecessary duplication of activities, we intend to work closely with the Approved Housing Body Regulatory Authority (AHBRA) so that our activities are co-ordinated in so far as is consistent with our respective statutory functions,” she added.

Regulators to co-operate

The AHBRA also recently announced an investigation into the charity’s affairs, linked to its activities as an approved housing body.

The two regulators have a memorandum of understanding that allows them to co-operate and share information for the purpose of performing their respective functions.

The Charities Regulator stressed that the opening of a statutory investigation was not in itself a finding of any wrongdoing.

On Wednesday, the Peter McVerry Trust’s chief executive Francis Doherty resigned.