Charity watchdog investigates heritage group

The Charity Commission will investigate claims against a Brighton heritage charity

A charity watchdog is investigating a Brighton heritage charity's dispute over a legacy left by its former chairman when he died.

The Charity Commission said it had frozen the bank accounts of Brighton and Hove Heritage Commission as it investigated claims that trustees had not complied with their legal duties.

The claims followed concerns about "financial misappropriation and poor financial controls within the charity" and the death of Roger Amerena, 74, who was chairman of the heritage commission and left a potential legacy to the charity.

The charity said it welcomed the inquiry and would "keep the charity's association of members informed throughout".

A spokesperson for the charity commission said on Thursday that it would also investigate further allegations about the potential misappropriation of funds, which were raised during the course of the dispute.

The charity rejected the allegations as "malicious", adding: "Not a single penny of the charity's funds is out of place."

Disputes concern individuals involved in the charity, the watchdog said.

"The Commission identified that the charity's governing document contains irreconcilable and contradictory provisions as to how trustees are appointed," it added.

Mr Amerena, who died in July 2024, founded the heritage commission in 2013.

The commission, which was registered as a charity in 2021, campaigns to preserve historically valuable properties and landmarks in the city.

A report will be released following the inquiry.