Noel Frost, former CEO of Barnabas Aid, a prominent Christian charity, has been dismissed following allegations of financial misconduct. An internal investigation revealed that Frost allegedly misused corporate credit cards for personal expenses, including flights to Las Vegas and participation in an Ironman event in Austria.
Barnabas Aid, established in 1993 to support persecuted Christians worldwide, now faces a potential £15 million deficit in its accounts. The charity, which operates in over 60 countries, has been a significant player in providing aid to Christians facing discrimination and has been involved in various humanitarian crises, including the Syrian refugee crisis.
The investigation, conducted by law firm Crowell, uncovered that Frost allegedly used charity funds for:
- Flights to Las Vegas for himself, two staff members, and his son
- Participation in an Ironman event in Austria
- Purchase of electronics and bikes
- Transfers exceeding £130,000 to accounts linked to him personally
Barnabas Aid, known for its work in providing Bibles, supporting converts from Islam, and funding education in over 60 countries, has replaced Frost with Colin Bloom, former faith adviser to Boris Johnson.
The charity's financial troubles come amidst a backdrop of internal conflicts and previous controversies. In 2014, founder Patrick Sookhdeo was arrested and later convicted of sexually assaulting a female staff member. Despite resigning, Sookhdeo reportedly returned to the board of some connected charities.
"The Barnabas Family of charities continues to do great work supporting some of the most oppressed and marginalised people. The staff team, our supporters and other stakeholders are committed to restoring trust in what we do."
The investigation also revealed that Frost was employed as international CEO months after being struck off as a solicitor in South Africa for defrauding clients. Barnabas Aid, which has been involved in rescuing Christians from conflict zones such as Afghanistan, was reportedly unaware of this judgment when promoting him.
This scandal comes at a time when Barnabas Aid has been actively involved in policy advocacy related to religious freedom and persecution. The charity has faced criticism in the past for its stance on Islam and interfaith relations, while also advocating for persecuted Christians at international forums and governments.
As the investigation continues, Barnabas Aid remains committed to its mission of supporting oppressed Christians worldwide. The charity, which publishes a monthly magazine detailing its work, has stated that if any financial wrongdoing is confirmed, they are committed to recovering the funds.