Sex scandal-hit Oxfam under investigation

Oxfam faces an inquiry from the charity watchdog in the wake of the aid worker sex scandal which resulted in the resignation of one of the charity’s most senior figures.

The charity has issued an “unreserved apology” to the Government, donors, supporters and the people of Haiti following the revelations.

Announcing her resignation as deputy chief executive, Penny Lawrence said she took full responsibility for what happened on her watch and was sorry for the “harm and distress” it had caused supporters, as the charity faced a battle to “rebuild the public trust” after crisis talks with the Government over funding.

Oxfam has faced intense criticism over its handling of sex allegations, including the use of prostitutes by workers in Haiti in 2011.

The Charity Commission launched its investigation after examining documents provided by Oxfam.

The watchdog said Oxfam may not have “fully and frankly disclosed material details about the allegations at the time in 2011” and it also had concerns about its handling of the incidents since, and the impact that these have both had on public trust and confidence.

The commission’s deputy chief executive David Holdsworth said: “Charities and dedicated, hard-working aid workers undertake vital, lifesaving work in some of the most difficult circumstances across the world.

“However, the issues revealed in recent days are shocking and unacceptable. It is important that we take this urgent step to ensure that these matters can be dealt with fully and robustly.”

The resignation comes after claims yesterday that the charity was aware of concerns about the conduct of two of the men at the centre of the allegations in Haiti when they worked previously in Chad.

Picture: PA. The deputy chief executive quit after claims Oxfam was aware of concerns about the behaviour of two men at the centre of the allegations.