Statement on Presbyterian Church in Ireland

The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland is aware of the statement issued yesterday (12 November 2025) by The Presbyterian Church in Ireland (the charity) regarding safeguarding matters between 2009 and 2022.

The Commission is currently reviewing the information provided by the charity under the serious incident reporting process and is engaging with the trustees to ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect beneficiaries and restore confidence. A copy of the internal investigation report has been requested.

The Commission has also been engaging with the church regarding a separate dossier received. This dossier contains detailed and complex information, requiring careful review and input from legal experts. As a result, the investigation - which remains open - is taking longer than usual to complete. Where necessary, the Commission will consider regulatory action in line with its statutory duties.

The Commission will examine whether there are any overlapping issues between the matters raised in the dossier, those highlighted in the statement issued yesterday and within the investigation report, once received from the charity.

Safeguarding is a fundamental governance responsibility for all charities. Trustees must ensure that robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place, that risks are managed effectively and that any incidents are reported promptly to the relevant authorities and to the Commission in line with our serious incident reporting guidance (Serious incident reporting: a guide for charity trustees | The Charity Commission for Northern Ireland).

The Commission wishes to reaffirm that safeguarding is not optional. It is essential. Charities must prioritise the safety and wellbeing of all those they serve.

The Commission will not provide further comment at this time, as doing so may prejudice this or future charity cases.