Nothing more vital than public goodwill

The scandal consuming Oxfam is troubling on many levels. Earlier this week Minnie Driver was the first celebrity to quit as an ambassador for the troubled charity following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Now millions of pounds of public funding could be pulled from the organisation.

While the blame lies squarely with the actions of those involved in any sexual misconduct, there are also questions over charity chiefs and their apparent failure to alert donors, regulators and prosecutors.

If there is one thing any charity needs above all else it is goodwill.

Without that, and the trust it naturally engenders, the outlook is bleak indeed.

And Oxfam will not be the only charity feeling the pinch as a result of the emerging scandal.

Donors will, quite naturally, begin to question all of their giving.

Against such a backdrop it is vital investigations into the sexual misconduct allegations are both thorough and rapid.

There is no doubt the vast majority of charities are staffed by dedicated, hard-working and committed individuals.

Where failings are discovered, however, appropriate action must be taken without delay and any charity seen to be tolerating criminal behaviour is unlikely to prosper.