Royal British Legion Tandragee Branch Diverted £99,000 Veterans' Loneliness Funds to Building Works
Internal documents from the Royal British Legion (RBL) have revealed that a Tandragee branch in County Armagh redirected nearly GBP#100,000 of public money, designated for veteran activities, towards the refurbishment of its premises.
The Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust (AFCF), the public body responsible for distributing these funds, awarded the RBL Tandragee branch GBP#140,000 across three projects in 2020. However, internal reports indicate that only GBP#41,000 was spent on the intended schemes, which aimed to combat loneliness among veterans through initiatives like craft, drama, and social gatherings.
A significant portion of grants, including GBP#31,000 from a GBP#35,000 'A Golden Stitch in Time' grant and GBP#33,000 from a GBP#35,000 'Stages of War' grant, was used for building modifications. An additional GBP#34,000 from a GBP#70,000 'Tackling Loneliness' grant also went towards property refurbishment. The RBL’s internal investigation noted that the majority of diverted funds were paid to "building contractors and building material suppliers," and discovered a "fully serviced bar with stock had been installed," despite neither organisation holding an alcohol licence.
The AFCF attributed the misuse of funds to "poor skills and understanding" in managing public money rather than deliberate fraud. While acknowledging some positive outcomes for veterans in the loneliness programme, the Trust expressed significant disappointment that the RBL Tandragee failed to comply fully with the grant agreement.
Following its own investigation, the Royal British Legion headquarters reported the matter to the Charity Commission and imposed sanctions on the Tandragee branch, which has since been "formally closed." The RBL confirmed it no longer holds any interest in the property. The building remains in use by the Tandragree Veterans Support Centre, a partner charity, for veteran activities.
