Prince Harry has stepped down from a charity he founded 19 years ago after an “unthinkable” controversy.
Image: Andy Stenning/Pool/AFP
Prince Harry has been accused of "playing the victim card" after quitting as patron of his charity.
The 40-year-old royal - who founded Sentebale almost 20 years ago with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to offer support for people in southern African battling HIV and Aids - stepped down from the charity after a row between the trustees and chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka.
In a joint statement, the princes said: "With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organisation until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same.
“It is devastating that the relationship between the charity’s trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation. What’s transpired is unthinkable.
"We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebale’s beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about.”
A number of trustees had requested Dr. Chandauka - who was appointed chair last year - step down, but she refused to resign.In response, she has fired back and insisted she has been targeted for trying to raise awareness of "abuse of power, bullying, harassment [and] misogyny" within the organisation.
She said in her own statement: "There are people in this world who behave as though they are above the law and mistreat people, and then play the victim card and use the very press they disdain to harm people who have the courage to challenge their conduct.
“Beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir – and the cover-up that ensued.
"I could be anyone. I just happen to be an educated woman who understands that the law will guide and protect me."I will say nothing further on this matter at this time.”
Dr. Chandauka has reported trustees to the Charity Commission, while she claimed the High Court had accepted an application to hear her case.
A Charity Commission spokesperson for England and Wales told The Independent newspaper: "We can confirm that we are aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale.
"We are assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps.”
Bang Showbiz
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