The League Against Cruel Sports is being investigated by the Charity Commission over claims that it sought to hack into the computer of the leader of the Countryside Alliance.

Yesterday the regulator confirmed that it was studying “serious concerns” about the anti-hunting group.

Chris Williamson, a Labour MP who led the league for a decade, alerted the commission to the allegation after he was suspended. He said that overspending risked leading to the closure of the charity, which was founded in 1924 and supported by Thomas Hardy.

Mr Williamson has since been expelled. Many trustees have either resigned or been removed and several staff are said to be taking cases to employment tribunals. Board members say that they have not been given documentation even though