Oxfam hits criticism, pulls out of UK gov’t bids

LONDON (AFP) — The head of Oxfam on Friday hit back at criticism over a prostitution scandal that he said was “out of proportion,” as the British charity agreed not to bid for more United Kingdom government funds until it cleans up its act.

Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring has repeatedly apologized for failings in the way the charity dealt with claims of sexual misconduct by its aid staff, but said some people refused to listen to explanations.

“The intensity and the ferocity of the attack makes you wonder: What did we do?” Goldring said in an interview with The Guardian.

“We murdered babies in their cots? Certainly, the scale and the intensity of the attacks feels out of proportion to the level of culpability. I struggle to understand it,” he added.

Goldring suggested that some critics were motivated in part by opposition to taxpayerfunded aid – Oxfam received nearly £32 million (36 million euros, $44 million) from the British government last year.

Earlier, the charity unveiled an action plan to tackle sexual harassment and abuse, and agreed not to bid for any more state funds until reforms were in place.

“Oxfam has agreed to withdraw from bidding for any new UK government funding until the Department for International Development is satisfied that they can meet the high standards we expect of our partners,” aid minister Penny Mordaunt said.

She said all the government’s charitable partners had been asked to give assurances on their safeguarding and reporting practices by Feb. 26.

“We have been very clear that we will not work with any organization that does not live up to the high standards on safeguarding and protection that we require,” Mordaunt said.