Lib Dem leader accuses care home trustee of embezzling £1 million
A formal investigation into the Northamptonshire charity has been launched
Last updated 26th Feb 2026
Sir Ed Davey has accused the trustee of a care home for adults with profound disabilities of embezzling £1 million.
The Liberal Democrat leader made the claim during Prime Minister's Questions, with Sir Keir Starmer branding the situation at William Blake House as one of "considerable concern".
It comes after the Charity Commission announced a formal investigation into the Northamptonshire charity, which runs four care homes across the county, on Wednesday after it was discovered it owed £1.5 million to HMRC.
The Charity Commission said its investigation will also cover "late filing of accounts; possible unmanaged conflicts of interest and potential unauthorised benefit".
Sir Ed said on Wednesday: "It's been revealed the trustee of William Blake House, a care home for adults with profound disabilities, embezzled £1 million.
"There are very few homes in the country which offer this sort of care and now it faces closure.
"As a father of a disabled son myself, can I tell the Prime Minister this situation is one of my worst nightmares, it's one of the worst nightmares of many parents with disabled adult children.
"The families of the residents have put forward a rescue plan to take over William Blake House and run it themselves.
"It will require HMRC resolving the debt issue and the Charity Commission to appoint an independent board."
He called on Sir Keir to meet with the families and back the plan.
The Prime Minister said the situation was one of "considerable concern" and promised to "make sure that the relevant meeting is put in place for all of the individuals who need that meeting".
William Blake House has been contacted for comment.
The commission has said its statutory inquiry will examine four areas, particularly trustees' financial management of the charity, including whether it has appropriate and robust financial controls in place.
It will also examine whether there has been "unauthorised personal benefit," whether charity property "has been or is at risk" and trustee compliance with governing documents.