The Royal British Legion placed its Northern Ireland District Committee under administrative control in March 2024. The committee oversees about 70 branches and 8,000 members who support veterans and serving personnel. Headquarters at Haig House in London reports on its activities.

Investigations by the charity uncovered compliance problems at branches in Antrim, Tandragee and Finaghy. These included a property sale in Antrim that released £155,781. The funds went to a separate club account rather than following Northern Ireland charity law requirements. Accounts for the branch had not been submitted for five years.

In Finaghy, south Belfast, a property with a retail unit, hall and storage faced issues. A Pentecostal gospel church rented part for £300 monthly without a lease or covering utilities and cleaning. This led to a loss of £19,801 in charitable funds over 11 years. The branch has closed and the property is for sale.

Tandragee branch used almost £100,000 from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund grant to refurbish its building. The money was meant for veterans' activities such as crafts, drama and social meals.

Headquarters probes found the district committee colluded to divert £1,000 from the Poppy Appeal for members to attend a remembrance concert. Other issues involved £1,100 donated for a minibus appeal with no record of transfer and a £500 donation from a House of Lords member not placed in the proper fund. An audit found no misuse.

The committee failed to follow audit recommendations and undermined the Legion's complaints process. It submitted a three-year improvement plan but did not incorporate requested changes. Branch officers in some locations received sanctions and the district committee was removed from office.

The charity appointed a new Northern Ireland District Committee with a new chair. Senior members and staff provide support. Inquiries continue at the Antrim branch.