Black Police Association funding frozen amid probe

Government funding for the National Black Police Association has been frozen due to "inadequate financial controls and a lack of other financial management procedures", it was revealed today.

The body's accounts are being studied for evidence of "improper activities", according to the Home Office.

The auditors are completing a review of the accounts and if there is any evidence of improper activities a fraud team will be called on.

The Home Office spokeswoman said issues had been uncovered while its audit assurance unit were studying the NBPA accounts.

"The (NBPA) cabinet were informed on April 2 that due to inadequate financial controls and a lack of other financial management procedures being in place, their grant and grant-in-aid funding for administration was frozen with effect from April 1," she added.

The NBPA, which represents the interests of black police staff and aims to promote racial harmony, received £180,000 from the Government last year.

The NBPA was formed in October 1999, and became a registered charity in August 2002. According to the Charities Commission website, it has not filed full accounts since the 2002/03 financial year, and is currently listed as having "no valid trustees".

Partial details lodged in December 2005 state that it had a gross income of £106,337 in 2004/05, but spent only £85,036 - a surplus of more than £20,000.

Home Office guidelines indicate that organisations receiving grants in excess of £100,000 must provide an annual statement for the period to March 31 of any particular financial year.

It is understood that the NBPA still owes Greater Manchester Police (GMP) £140,000 in fees relating to an international education and training conference staged in the city last August.

A GMP spokeswoman said: "GMP remains in discussions with the National Black Police Association in relation to last year's conference."

NBPA president Keith Jarrett, who took up his post in 2005, told Police Revew the situation was "embarrassing" but stressed there was no evidence of "dishonesty".

"I cannot find any evidence of dishonesty but maybe I am looking at it through rose-coloured glasses." he said.