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Breast cancer helpline founder paid herself £31k Breast cancer helpline founder paid herself £31k
(35 minutes later)
A national breast cancer charity is being investigated after its founder paid herself £31,000 in breach of charity law. A national breast cancer charity is being investigated after its founder paid herself £31,000, in breach of charity law.
Wendy Watson MBE, who launched National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline in 1996, has resigned as a trustee. Wendy Watson, who launched the National Hereditary Breast Cancer Helpline in 1996, has resigned as a trustee.
Financial irregularities were uncovered by the Charity Commission, which has issued an official warning for "significant breaches of trust".Financial irregularities were uncovered by the Charity Commission, which has issued an official warning for "significant breaches of trust".
Lawyers for Mrs Watson and the charity described the payments as "an error".Lawyers for Mrs Watson and the charity described the payments as "an error".
Mrs Watson, of Derbyshire, founded the charity four years after she became the first woman in the UK to have a pre-emptive mastectomy. Mrs Watson, of Derbyshire, founded the charity four years after she became the first woman in the UK to have a pre-emptive mastectomy. Five years ago she was appointed MBE for services to people with breast cancer.
The procedure was made famous in 2013 when American actress Angelina Jolie had the surgery. The pre-emptive mastectomy procedure was made famous in 2013 when American actress Angelina Jolie had the surgery.
The charity was set up to raise awareness and fund a phoneline where people can speak to Mrs Watson for support and advice.The charity was set up to raise awareness and fund a phoneline where people can speak to Mrs Watson for support and advice.
By 2012, it was raising almost £1m a year from charity shops in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Humberside and London.By 2012, it was raising almost £1m a year from charity shops in Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Humberside and London.
Mrs Watson, who was awarded an MBE for services to people with breast cancer, paid herself the sum over the 2014-15 financial year. Mrs Watson paid herself the sum over the 2014-15 financial year.
Trustees cannot be paid without permission from the Charity Commission, which regulates registered charities in England and Wales.Trustees cannot be paid without permission from the Charity Commission, which regulates registered charities in England and Wales.
'Absolutely scandalous''Absolutely scandalous'
Since 2012, the charity's accounts also show that as little as 2.8% of annual donations has been spent on "charitable activities", such as running the helpline.Since 2012, the charity's accounts also show that as little as 2.8% of annual donations has been spent on "charitable activities", such as running the helpline.
The average spend for a charity is currently 83%.The average spend for a charity is currently 83%.
The rest of the money was spent running the shops and paying staff.The rest of the money was spent running the shops and paying staff.
Gina Miller, founder of the True and Fair Foundation, wants to set a minimum threshold so charities have to spend at least 65% of income on charitable activities.Gina Miller, founder of the True and Fair Foundation, wants to set a minimum threshold so charities have to spend at least 65% of income on charitable activities.
She described the matter as "absolutely scandalous".She described the matter as "absolutely scandalous".
Mrs Miller, who is also known for challenging the government's Brexit plans, said: "When most people give over their money they believe the majority of it should go towards the end charitable work.Mrs Miller, who is also known for challenging the government's Brexit plans, said: "When most people give over their money they believe the majority of it should go towards the end charitable work.
"This charity's spending should have been picked up by the Charity Commission a long time ago.""This charity's spending should have been picked up by the Charity Commission a long time ago."
It is the first time the commission has issued an official warning under new powers handed down by the government.It is the first time the commission has issued an official warning under new powers handed down by the government.
It also raised concerns about the organisation's record keeping and "improperly delegating" management of the charity.It also raised concerns about the organisation's record keeping and "improperly delegating" management of the charity.
The official warning was issued after points raised in a previous inspection last year were not addressed.The official warning was issued after points raised in a previous inspection last year were not addressed.
The charity's shops are described as "support centres", but when a BBC reporter visited five of the outlets, the only support offered appeared to be adverts for the helpline number.The charity's shops are described as "support centres", but when a BBC reporter visited five of the outlets, the only support offered appeared to be adverts for the helpline number.
Michelle Russell, Charity Commission's director of investigations, said it was a "serious" case.Michelle Russell, Charity Commission's director of investigations, said it was a "serious" case.
"As a trustee, as it says on the tin, you are trusted with other people's money as a volunteer to look after it," she said."As a trustee, as it says on the tin, you are trusted with other people's money as a volunteer to look after it," she said.
"When we found out there were some unauthorised payments to a trustee, we made it clear that it wasn't allowed to continue."When we found out there were some unauthorised payments to a trustee, we made it clear that it wasn't allowed to continue.
"But when we went back for the second inspection we found they'd continued to make payments in breach of charity law.""But when we went back for the second inspection we found they'd continued to make payments in breach of charity law."
'Voluntary basis''Voluntary basis'
A statement from Mrs Watson's lawyers said she had been paid in "error" for "a period while she was a trustee".A statement from Mrs Watson's lawyers said she had been paid in "error" for "a period while she was a trustee".
It added: "Wendy Watson has worked full-time for the charity from August 2012 until now.It added: "Wendy Watson has worked full-time for the charity from August 2012 until now.
"She was paid for her work for one year (September 2014-5) [and] during that period, she was also a trustee."She was paid for her work for one year (September 2014-5) [and] during that period, she was also a trustee.
"Neither Ms Watson nor the charity were aware that this was inappropriate until they were informed by the Charity Commission, at which point Ms Watson immediately resigned as a trustee and continued to work without payment."Neither Ms Watson nor the charity were aware that this was inappropriate until they were informed by the Charity Commission, at which point Ms Watson immediately resigned as a trustee and continued to work without payment.
"Ms Watson was also paid for three months' work at the end of 2016."Ms Watson was also paid for three months' work at the end of 2016.
"Other than these periods, she has worked full-time on a voluntary basis.""Other than these periods, she has worked full-time on a voluntary basis."