Inquiry probes charity that employs Symonds

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by the Charity Commission into an animal conservation group that employs the Prime Minister’s fiancee Carrie Symonds amid “serious concerns” about its governance and financial management.

The Government watchdog has announced it began probing the Aspinall Foundation in July 2020 in relation to claims of “unauthorised trustee benefit” and whether trustees “have complied with and fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law”.

The Aspinall Foundation was founded in 1984 and runs breeding sanctuaries for endangered animals, as well as operating the Howletts and Port Lympne animal parks in Kent, which were set up by gambling club host and animal enthusiast John Aspinall. Ms Symonds, inset, was appointed head of communications for the foundation earlier this year, although the subject of the inquiry dates from before her joining. A statement from the charity regulator says: “The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into the Aspinall Foundation over serious concerns about the charity’s governance and financial management.” A spokesman for the charity, which has launched its own internal review, said: “The Aspinall Foundation remains firmly committed to its ethical and legal duties as a charitable body. Our trustees will continue to work openly and transparently with the Charity Commission.”