A LEADING philanthropic society with dozens and clubs, lodges and provinces across the region has suspended its Grand Secretary and accounts manager as well as two trustees and launched an investigation into "financial irregularities," The Northern Echo can reveal.

The Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes (RAOB), or Buffs, has launched an investigation after auditors showed thousands of pounds were unaccounted for in the order's books in July.

The police and the Charity Commission have both been informed and both organisations have asked to be informed of the results of the RAOB's internal investigation.

Grand Trustee of the RAOB, Barrie Kingston, based at its headquarters in Harrogate, explained the accounting discrepancy came to light during a regular routine audit and stressed it was a possible administration error that was being investigated.

“As soon as this issue came to light the Management Committee launched an investigation and suspended our Grand Secretary and accounts manager," he added.

"They also informed the police and the Charity Commission and both bodies asked to be kept informed of our investigation.

"Subsequently, upon advice received from the Charity Commission, two trustees and the treasurer were also suspended.

"This is a practice used by many other organisations. It does not mean we’re accusing anybody of wrong-doing but just means we are getting to the bottom of this issue.

"We will do everything absolutely according to our procedures at all times. Our reputation, built up over many decades of charitable works raising many hundreds of thousands of pounds each year, is extremely important to us.”

Most Buffs clubs operate independently from the central body in Harrogate which is a registered charity.

The RAOB has also been involved in another controversy in the region after five suspended members in County Durham revealed they have spent more than six years campaigning to clear their names after being publicly accused of "misappropriating funds."

Police investigated the accusation of one of the five, who were all involved in running the now closed Hartlepool Buffs club on Church Street, but decided there was no case to pursue and the suspensions led to mass resignations across County Durham.