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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Culture & Society

Naomi Campbell called unfit to run a charity in her appeal against ban

From The Guardian · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • The Charity Commission stated Naomi Campbell is unfit to run a charity, citing mismanagement and misuse of funds at her defunct Fashion for Relief project.
  • Campbell is appealing a five-year ban, with her lawyers arguing she was a victim of fraud and made an honest mistake.
  • Fashion for Relief raised millions but gave only 10% to partner charities, with significant funds spent on Campbell's personal expenses.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell has been deemed unfit to run a charity by the Charity Commission, which alleges she "completely abdicated" her responsibilities as a trustee of her now-defunct Fashion for Relief project. The commission is opposing Campbell's attempt to overturn a five-year ban on her directorship of charitable organizations.

completely abdicated

— The Charity CommissionDescribing Naomi Campbell's responsibilities as a trustee.

According to the Charity Commission, Campbell was "highly culpable" for mismanagement and misuse of funds at Fashion for Relief, which she founded in 2015. The watchdog stated she demonstrated an "absence of the competence that could be expected" from a trustee by delegating oversight to another trustee and failing to address problems when they arose.

highly culpable

— The Charity CommissionRegarding mismanagement and misuse of funds at Fashion for Relief.

Campbell's legal team contends that the commission has unfairly targeted her as a "high-profile scalp." They argue she was a victim of fraud, made an honest mistake, and did not personally profit from the charity. Fashion for Relief, known for its high-profile fundraising events hosted by Campbell, raised millions for anti-poverty initiatives. However, an inquiry found shambolic financial management, poor record-keeping, and misconduct, with partner charities receiving only 10% of the £4.8 million raised over five years.

absence of the competence that could be expected

— The Charity CommissionDescribing Naomi Campbell's performance as a trustee.

Campbell's lawyers claim she was deceived by fellow trustee Bianka Hellmich, who allegedly forged documents and withheld financial information. They assert Campbell acted in good faith, relying on Hellmich for financial matters, and was unaware of the misuse of funds. Her lawyer, Andrew Westwood KC, argued that Campbell's "misplaced reliance" was an honest mistake and that disqualifying her would not serve the public interest, especially as she was a victim of fraud. Westwood suggested Campbell delegated responsibilities believing Hellmich had the necessary expertise, allowing Campbell to focus on a figurehead role. However, the commission's representative countered that Campbell failed in her duty to actively supervise the charity's operations.

high-profile scalp

— Lawyers for Naomi CampbellClaiming the watchdog targeted Campbell unfairly.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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