Now watchdogs step up inquiry into trans charity
watchdogs have launched an inquiry into children’s transgender charity Mermaids over concerns about its leadership.
the charity commission said the step was taken after the emergence of ‘newly identified issues’ around ‘governance and management’.
a statutory inquiry – its most serious form of investigation – will now aim to determine if there was any mismanagement or misconduct by trustees. the commission has already opened a case over safeguarding issues but the latest move shows increased concern over the functioning of the charity.
Mermaids ‘has not provided the necessary reassurance or satisfied the commission at this stage’, the watchdog said.
It added: ‘the regulator will seek to determine whether the charity’s governance is appropriate in relation to the activities the charity carries out, which involve vulnerable children and young people, as well as their families.’
Mermaids has generated public controversy after it was revealed that one of its trustees, dr Jacob Breslow, had previously spoken at a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles. an investigation by the daily telegraph also claimed the charity offered to send breast binders to children despite opposition from their parents.
after growing criticism its chief executive, susie green, stood down last month after six years in charge but did not explain why. Mermaids, which has received government grants, launched a rare legal action against the charity commission in september for awarding charitable status to LgB alliance, which criticises ‘gender ideology’ and raises concerns that young gay people are being exposed to harmful practices. It is understood to be the first time a charity has attempted to strip another of its legal status. Pending the outcome of the safeguarding case, a number of organisations have paused their relationships with the charity.
the National Lottery community Fund has suspended future payments and the department for Education has removed Mermaids from its mental health and wellbeing resources for schools.
Mermaids was founded in 1995 and has its headquarters in Leeds and a London office. once run solely by volunteers, it now has 44 staff and 110 volunteers.
the charity said in a statement: ‘Earlier this year Mermaids decided to carry out a frank and honest appraisal of our internal culture and how we measure up in terms of equity, diversity and inclusion.
‘as part of this process, we commissioned an independent external report which highlighted a number of significant challenges for us. we know we must do better and we are absolutely committed to doing so, and will be implementing the report’s recommendations as a priority.
‘we will continue to cooperate fully, openly and with complete transparency with the charity commission as its inquiry gets underway.’
‘Significant challenges’