CHARITY BOSS QUITS OVER SEX SCANDALS
After toxic claims of harassment cover-ups at Save the Children...
THE chairman of Save the Children International quit last night in the wake of its sex harassment scandal.
Sir Alan Parker resigned after ten years in the role following claims of a highlevel cover-up of allegations against two executives at the charity’s UK arm. It comes a week after the Charity Commission said it was carrying out a statutory inquiry into Save the Children over the claims.
The watchdog is looking at whether the charity adequately reported what it knew about allegations against former chief executive Justin Forsyth and policy director Brendan Cox.
Sir Alan, 62, intervened personally to address accusations against the two men, the Daily Mail has been told. A Save the Children source said that in both cases Sir Alan personally took control within 48 hours, overriding the charity’s human resources rules.
He also brought in his own lawyers to help with the cases instead of using the charity’s legal advisers.
As a result, formal investigations were abandoned and both men left discreetly.
Sir Alan has always denied a cover-up of the allegations.
The source said: ‘There were HR procedures that were in
place to deal with Brendan and Justin. Lawyers were contacted … then Alan came in, in both cases within 48 hours, saw the advice of Save the Children’s lawyers, ignored that advice and quickly brought in new lawyers.
‘HR were totally across it and said we have to deal with this, but Alan wasn’t happy … they did not follow Save [the Children]’s HR protocol. After Brendan left, the investigation into what he did just stopped.
‘The original lawyers’ letters are in the safe at Save [the Children] and the Commission are going to see them.’
Sir Alan is founder and chairman of the PR firm Brunswick. Gordon Brown is godfather to his youngest son, and when David Cameron left No10 he lived briefly at Sir Alan’s London home.
A 2015 report found Sir Alan’s ‘very close’ relationship with former Save the Children boss Mr Forsyth may have affected how he responded to complaints. Three women employees accused Mr Forsyth of inappropriate behaviour, for which he said he had apologised. He allegedly sent inappropriate texts and commented on what young female staff were wearing. It was claimed if the women did not reply, he would the He had Sir stepped charity’s ‘made Alan were continue was mistakes’. also down former chairman to made pester after director against of admitting them. trustees of Mr Allegations policy. Cox, he at and Save on Alan The to Mr International. the was chair leaked Cox Children ‘ less the left 2015 than board in report UK 2015. supportive’ when of Save found He Mr then the that Forsyth when went Children Sir harassment women head issues. It described of He working HR said alerted claims how Sir for Alan Save the Sir were had charity. the Alan said: Children’s made to ‘Justin the by Forsyth when they’re people is very abroad; important behave they very to would the differently organisation; have been some complainants tired; mutual they support; doing would by what agreeing have were needed to the go to The his hotel report room said in the the head first of place.’ HR was ‘frustrated’ feared was a by result the response of Sir Alan ‘which Parker he and Justin Forsyth being close’. having sort best ‘personal claims barrage former went One Two ‘It’s of to months on complainant he talking aide handle Alan of more sent to mistakes’ text to and become ago young to Tony these about messages. each his Mr was Blair, girls.’ women over best Forsyth who other deputy quoted who The the mate Alan about a admitted as is, Justin how saying: and executive said ‘caused between year He he and he faced had offence left thoughtless 2011 which director engaged three the and and organisation. he complaints at in hurt’. 2015, accepts ‘unsuitable conversations’ Unicef, the He later resigned from his job at Unicef.
Mr Forsyth also faced questions over whether he protected Mr Cox, the widower of murdered MP Jo Cox, after he was accused of inappropriate behaviour towards women. Mr Cox admitted he had behaved in a way that caused women ‘hurt and offence’. In 2016 alone, Save the Children investigated more than 200 complaints of misconduct against staff.
Last month, protesters from the Women’s Equality Party interrupted a Save the Children board meeting to call for Sir Alan’s resignation.
Alexia Pepper de Caires, a former employee of the charity, read out a statement saying men at Save the Children UK had ‘ disempowered women, sexualised their presence in the workforce and minimised their experiences’.
Sir Alan was due to leave in December but ‘felt it right at this moment to bring forward his succession’, the charity said. Announcing his resignation, he wrote: ‘Given the complex mix of challenges the organisation and the sector is facing, it is my view that a change is needed.’
He added: ‘In Save the Children UK we dealt with some unacceptable workplace behaviour, involving harassment, in our head office in Farringdon in 2012 and 2015. These issues are now subject to further review by the Charity Commission.’
Pernille Lopez, on behalf of the Save the Children Association and its international board, said: ‘We would like to thank Alan for his immense contribution to Save the Children over the past ten years.’