The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into Gilbert Deya Ministries amid concerns about its governance and the possibility it has been selling olive oil for its healing qualities in breach of regulations and the law
The charity has objects to seek the advancement of the Christian religion and to provide assistance for persons in condition of need, hardship or distress.
Based in London, Gilbert Deya Ministries was set up as a charity in 1996, and its accounts show income of £1.4m for the financial year ending 31 December 2010, rising to £1.66m the next year. Income for 2014 is shown as £865,686.
The regulator says it has concerns regarding the safeguarding policies, practices and procedures at the charity which arose following the arrest of one of its trustees in 2014.
It has been trying to address a number of these concerns with the trustees, who have failed to report serious incidents to the commission and to provide adequate responses to the questions raised, the commission says.
The commission also has concerns that the charity may have been selling olive oil to which it attributed healing qualities. The regulator is concerned that such activity may be in breach of relevant regulations and law.
The inquiry will examine the administration, governance and management of the charity by the trustees, the charity’s safeguarding policies, procedures and practices, and the circumstances relating to the alleged sale of olive oil.
A report on the Commission’s findings will be published in due course.
