Lord Offord’s register of interests on the UK Parliament website also states that he has shareholdings in the charity, which is listed as a “family charitable trust”.
Reform UK Scottish leader Malcolm OffordYet while the Badenoch Trust is registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales, the charity does not appear on the OSCR, the Scottish charity register, despite operating in Scotland.
The OSCR previously said the incident would be assessed to determine whether any regulatory action would be taken.
A spokesperson told Third Force News: “Following an assessment of concerns raised about Badenoch Trust, we have opened an inquiry to gather further information and determine whether regulatory action is required.
“In line with our published policies, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
The trust was first reported to the OSCR by independent journalist David Hollas, who pointed to the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, which states that a charity managed mainly in Scotland must register with the regulator, including organisations established or registered in England.
He submitted the charity’s 2024 accounts as evidence, which show that the organisation is administered from 10 Charlotte Square in Edinburgh.
While the trust is registered to an Edinburgh address on the Charity Commission website, it is listed as being based in London on the Companies House register.
Dumbarton MSP and Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: “This investigation is bound to raise some eyebrows.
“Malcolm Offord must be totally transparent with the OSCR and the public about what has happened here.”
A Reform UK spokesperson previously said: “The charity was set up in 2007 in London, where Malcolm Offord [sic] was at the time. It currently remains registered in London.”
Reform UK has been contacted for comment.