Misconduct claims at charity set up by Prince Harry ‘a surprise’, says Sentebale trustee
A former trustee at a charity co-founded by Prince Harry has said he is surprised at claims of bullying, harassment and misogyny made by its chairwoman.
Dr Kelello Lerotholi told Sky’s royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills he did not recognise the allegations.
Prince Harry established Sentebale in 2006, in honour of his mother, to help children and young people in southern Africa.
Dr Lerotholi and other trustees have resigned amid a bitter internal row, with Harry also quitting as patron in solidarity.
The royal said on Tuesday he was devastated and “in shock” at having to part ways.
“What’s transpired is unthinkable,” said a joint statement issued with co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho.
Chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka, who has not accused anyone specifically, alleged “issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir”.
However, Dr Lerotholi told Sky News he had never witnessed these issues and that the claims “came to me as a surprise”.
“I can honestly say, in the meetings I was present in, there was never even a hint of such,” he said.
“The general tone and conduct of the board has been one of respect for each other, accommodating each others’ opinions and inputs, and speaking with respect to each other.
“So this all came as a shock to me.”
Prince Harry and chair Dr Chandauka in Florida last year. Pic: PA
Dr Chandauka said on Tuesday that she had reported Sentebale’s trustees to the Charity Commission in the UK and obtained an injunction to stop them removing her.
Precise details of the falling out within the charity are unclear, but reports have suggested it’s connected to a decision to focus fundraising in Africa.
Read more from Sky News:
Harry’s US visa application released
Prince welcomes next Invictus Games
A Charity Commission spokesperson said it was “aware of concerns about the governance of Sentebale” and was “assessing the issues to determine the appropriate regulatory steps”.
Prince Harry was inspired to start the organisation after spending two months in Lesotho when he was on a gap year in 2004.
He was in the small African country – which has one of the world’s highest rates of HIV and Aids – as recently as last October.
In a statement, Sentebale said it was evolving into an organisation which addresses larger issues of youth health, wealth and climate resilience in southern Africa.
It said it had not yet received resignations from its two royal patrons.
A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.
“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”
Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield
Read more from Sky News:
Fresh appeal over student’s murder
100 firefighters battle flats blaze
The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.
A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.
According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.
Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.
While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.
The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province
Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.
Read more from Sky News:
IDF finds ‘failings’ over attack on aid workers
Pope blesses Easter crowds from popemobile
According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.
It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.
-
Sports2 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway