... and Minnie Driver is first star to quit as ambassador
MINNIE Driver resigned as an Oxfam global ambassador last night, blaming its ‘abhorrent mistakes’ in relation to the sex scandal.
The 48-year-old actress, who was one of the charity’s 16 ambassadors, said she was withdrawing her support ‘in no uncertain terms’.
The British star has worked with Oxfam for 20 years, donating a £72,000 lunch date to its 2008 eBay auction.
‘I am nothing short of horrified by the allegations against Oxfam International,’ she said in a statement. ‘In no uncertain terms do I plan to continue my support of this organisation or its leaders.
‘And though it is unfortunate that after 20 years I am no longer able to advocate and defend through this specific framework, social and economic injustice is more globally prevalent than ever.’ She said she would ‘not let the abhorrent mistakes of a troubling organisation stop me or anyone else from working with good people’ to support those who need help.
Miss Driver travelled to Cambodia and Thailand in 2004 for the charity’s Make Trade Fair campaign to combat unjust trade rules, as well as performing at the campaign’s charity concert.
In her role as an ambassador, the Good Will Hunting actress regularly attended fundraising events in Los Angeles and New York and promoted its Oxfam Unwrapped gift catalogue.
An Oxfam spokesman said: ‘We are grateful for her commitment to ending global poverty. Her decision saddens us deeply, but we also understand and respect her choice.’
Other ambassadors including Dame Helen Mirren, Bill Nighy and Annie Lennox last night refused to say if they would continue to support Oxfam.