A charity which has its base in Dartford is under investigation on suspicion of paying ransom money to ISIS three years ago.

The Met have confirmed it is investigating as to whether or not the The Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organisation (ACERO) sent a large sum of money to Syria in 2016 in exchange for the release of hostages.

The Sunday Times have reported that the charity have come under fire after ACERO's accounts showed a payment of £147,689 labelled under "Iraq Hostages".

It was also reported that the charity's accounts have since been frozen as the investigation continues.

The charity's chairman and Bishop of Syria, Mar Afram Athneil, was praised back in 2016 after it emerged he freed 226 hostages from ISIS captivity over the course of a year.

ACERO, situated in Kennet Road, Dartford, is run by Andy Darmoo, 71, who also runs a chandelier business in the area, according to The Sunday Times report.

A Met spokeswoman has said: "In January 2018, the Met received a referral from the Charities Commission over concerns relating to alleged payments to Syria by the Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organisation (ACERO).

"This matter is being investigated by officers from the National Terrorism Financial Investigation Unit, which is part of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command (NTFIU) to determine if terrorist financing offences have been committed.

"On the 16 August, officers from the NTFIU executed search warrants at a residential address and business address in the Dartford area.

"On the same day, a 71-year-old man was interviewed under caution.

"The investigation continues."

A spokeswoman for the Charity Commission has said: "We can confirm that we are examining serious concerns about the governance of Assyrian Church of the East Relief Organization (ACERO UK), and its activities overseas.

"That case is ongoing, as is a police investigation related to the charity.

"In order not to prejudice either investigation, we cannot comment further at this time.

"Being a charity carries special status in our society, and is associated with important responsibilities, including around the management of resources, transparency and accountability, and sound governance.

"All trustees of all charities have a responsibility for meeting these responsibilities."

News Shopper have contacted the charity for comment.