Mental health charity cleared over 'inappropriate spending' claims

An Aberdeen charity which provided mental health counselling has been cleared of alleged financial mismanagement before its closure.

Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA) announced in July last year it had taken the decision to close with immediate effect after "working tirelessly to explore all available options".

The charity - which operated for 75 years - added it faced a complex set of circumstances, including growing pressure on its services.

Charity regulator OSCR received "concerns from the public" about MHA's spending, but has now said it had found "no inappropriate financial management which led to the charity becoming insolvent".

MHA provided various services including counselling, work in schools and community projects.

The charity had said funding had been reduced or withdrawn and rising operational costs including a "significant increase" in National Insurance contributions led to the closure.

In August last year, the OSCR said allegations of "inappropriate expenditure" were being probed.

The organisation has now said in a statement: "OSCR is satisfied from the information we received during our inquiry that the actions of the charity trustees were consistent with the general duties required under Scottish charity law, and that there was no inappropriate financial management which led to the charity becoming insolvent.

"As a result, we have closed this inquiry."