The Charity Commission has launched a compliance case into allegations a soup kitchen charity supported the political candidate who founded it.
Amazing Graze, a soup kitchen in Blackpool that supports homeless people in the area by providing hot meals and shelter, was founded by Mark Butcher, the Reform UK candidate in the Blackpool South by-election that is due to take place on 2 May.
In a Facebook post on 4 April, Butcher said “The campaign starts now”, with the charity’s address listed.
A Channel Four news report featuring Butcher showed evidence of Reform UK materials at the Amazing Graze premises.
In response, the regulator said it was clear that a charity cannot support a political candidate or party.
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “We have an active compliance case into Amazing Graze to assess concerns raised about support for a political candidate, and are engaging with the trustees.”
Butcher was chair of the board of trustees at the charity before his resignation on 17 April.
In a letter to trustees, Butcher said: “As I bid farewell to the Amazing Graze charity, I ask for your understanding and support in this decision.
“It is not an easy choice to make, but I believe it is the right one for Amazing Graze at this time.”
Butcher also founded a pizzeria, Pizza Grazie, which shares the same address as Amazing Graze.
The charity said Butcher supports Amazing Graze, but it does not support him.
A spokesperson for the charity said: “The restaurant, Pizza Grazie, has let a small amount of space to be used during the election.
“[Butcher] stood down as a trustee to protect the organisation from underhand political attacks. An organisation he founded and has been the driving force behind which has, over the past decade, provided the vulnerable, homeless and destitute of Blackpool 250,000 hot meals and provided shelter for thousands.
“After the election, Mr Butcher will be volunteering as he always does at the soup kitchen. One wonders what other candidates will be doing.”