Overview
- The Liverpool and Chelmsford Diocesan Boards of Finance were formally warned after breaches of safeguarding guidance and trustee duties were identified.
- Commission findings cite failures to consider or investigate complaints, inadequate oversight and risk assessment, and a lack of prompt serious-incident reporting when allegations arose in 2023.
- The issues were reported to the regulator only in early 2025 following media interest, and the failings were deemed mismanagement in the administration of both charities.
- The warnings require stronger procedures, clear reporting to full trustee boards, prompt serious-incident notifications, and updates to the Commission on progress within two months.
- The case concerns alleged behaviour toward two adults by then Bishop of Liverpool John Perumbalath, who resigned in January 2025 while denying wrongdoing; Chelmsford leaders disputed aspects as disproportionate as Liverpool trustees accepted the findings and apologized, and the regulator stressed trustees must be able to challenge powerful figures.