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International Development Committee to quiz Oxfam bosses Oxfam boss Mark Goldring 'sorry' over Haiti scandal
(about 1 hour later)
MPs are to question senior Oxfam executives later about the sexual misconduct of some of its staff in Haiti following an earthquake in 2010. Oxfam's chief executive Mark Goldring has said he is sorry for the damage the charity has done to the people of Haiti and the wider efforts of aid workers.
Members of the International Development Committee will ask what measures have been taken by Oxfam to prevent exploitation. He is facing questions from MPs about the sexual misconduct of some staff in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.
They will hear from its chief executive, Mark Goldring, and chair of trustees Caroline Thomson. The International Development Committee will also hear from chair of trustees Caroline Thomson.
Oxfam has offered its "humblest apologies" to the Haitian government. Mr Goldring also apologised for remarks made about murdering babies in cots which he made in defending Oxfam.
In an interview with the Guardian last week, he said: "The intensity and ferocity of the attack makes you wonder, what did we do? We murdered babies in their cots?"
He said he was "deeply sorry" for the comments that he had made while "under stress".
Earlier this month, the Times newspaper published allegations that Oxfam aid workers in Haiti had used prostitutes.Earlier this month, the Times newspaper published allegations that Oxfam aid workers in Haiti had used prostitutes.
Oxfam, which has almost 10,000 staff working in more than 90 countries, denied a cover-up but its handling of the scandal is being investigated by the Charity Commission.Oxfam, which has almost 10,000 staff working in more than 90 countries, denied a cover-up but its handling of the scandal is being investigated by the Charity Commission.
Since the story broke, Mr Goldring, who joined the charity in 2013, said 26 reports of recent and historic incidents have been made by Oxfam workers - 16 of them outside the UK.
Of the scandal, he said: "I am sorry, we are sorry, for the damage Oxfam has done both to the people of Haiti but also to wider efforts for aid and development by possibly undermining public support."
Committee chairman Stephen Twigg said his committee would conduct a full inquiry into sexual misconduct in the aid sector in the wake of the scandal.
A redacted version of an internal report from 2011, released on Monday, revealed that three of the men accused of sexual misconduct in Haiti physically threatened witnesses during an investigation.A redacted version of an internal report from 2011, released on Monday, revealed that three of the men accused of sexual misconduct in Haiti physically threatened witnesses during an investigation.
It also showed:It also showed:
In the report, the charity said director of operations in Haiti, Roland Van Hauwermeiren, "admitted using prostitutes" at his Oxfam residence. Last week, he denied paying prostitutes for sex.In the report, the charity said director of operations in Haiti, Roland Van Hauwermeiren, "admitted using prostitutes" at his Oxfam residence. Last week, he denied paying prostitutes for sex.
He was granted a "phased and dignified exit" and was allowed to resign, the report added, so long as he fully co-operated with the rest of the 2011 investigation.He was granted a "phased and dignified exit" and was allowed to resign, the report added, so long as he fully co-operated with the rest of the 2011 investigation.
It is not known if he was one of the suspects accused of threatening witnesses.It is not known if he was one of the suspects accused of threatening witnesses.
The BBC has discovered that one of the staff dismissed from Oxfam for gross misconduct in Haiti was Raphael Mutiku, a Kenyan aid worker based outside the capital Nairobi.The BBC has discovered that one of the staff dismissed from Oxfam for gross misconduct in Haiti was Raphael Mutiku, a Kenyan aid worker based outside the capital Nairobi.
Asked by a reporter whether he had been with Mr Van Hauwermeiren, Mr Mutiku said "no". As he got into a vehicle, he was asked why he had been let go by Oxfam but not did not answer.Asked by a reporter whether he had been with Mr Van Hauwermeiren, Mr Mutiku said "no". As he got into a vehicle, he was asked why he had been let go by Oxfam but not did not answer.
'Smorgasbord of women''Smorgasbord of women'
A source, who was aware of the investigation and was in Haiti at the time, told the BBC that drivers were forced to deliver prostitutes to Oxfam villas.A source, who was aware of the investigation and was in Haiti at the time, told the BBC that drivers were forced to deliver prostitutes to Oxfam villas.
"They were having parties over there that were described as orgies with a smorgasbord of women, girls, wearing Oxfam T-shirts. It would go on all night."They were having parties over there that were described as orgies with a smorgasbord of women, girls, wearing Oxfam T-shirts. It would go on all night.
"We were told they were underage. The security guards, the drivers were talking about it not directly - indirectly - because if they talked to anyone about it they would lose their jobs.""We were told they were underage. The security guards, the drivers were talking about it not directly - indirectly - because if they talked to anyone about it they would lose their jobs."
The report called for tighter safeguarding across the industry to stop disgraced aid workers moving to new posts.The report called for tighter safeguarding across the industry to stop disgraced aid workers moving to new posts.
Despite the warning, several of those implicated subsequently worked for other aid organisations, or moved to other posts within Oxfam.Despite the warning, several of those implicated subsequently worked for other aid organisations, or moved to other posts within Oxfam.
In the wake of the revelations, MPs on the international development committee convened an urgent session to investigate the crisis, due to begin at 10:30 GMT. In the wake of the revelations, MPs on the international development committee convened an urgent session to investigate the crisis.
BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale said the focus was likely to be on Mark Goldring's leadership, as a number of people, including former international development minister Priti Patel, have called for him to resign.BBC diplomatic correspondent James Landale said the focus was likely to be on Mark Goldring's leadership, as a number of people, including former international development minister Priti Patel, have called for him to resign.
On Saturday, Mr Goldring told the Guardian newspaper that the scale and intensity of the criticism against Oxfam in the wake of the prostitute claims was out of proportion to its level of culpability.
MPs are also expected to ask Save the Children's chief Kevin Watkins about his charity's response to the issues raised.MPs are also expected to ask Save the Children's chief Kevin Watkins about his charity's response to the issues raised.
DfID's permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft will tell the committee about the department's knowledge of the situation.DfID's permanent secretary Matthew Rycroft will tell the committee about the department's knowledge of the situation.
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Oxfam has said it released the internal report because it wanted to be "as transparent as possible" about decisions made.Oxfam has said it released the internal report because it wanted to be "as transparent as possible" about decisions made.
On Monday, Oxfam regional director for Latin America Simon Ticehurst presented the original, unedited report to the government in Haiti and formally apologised.On Monday, Oxfam regional director for Latin America Simon Ticehurst presented the original, unedited report to the government in Haiti and formally apologised.
He said the charity would be starting "the long road ahead of re-establishing trust and partnership" with Haiti and was ready to engage with Haitian people and co-operate with their government.He said the charity would be starting "the long road ahead of re-establishing trust and partnership" with Haiti and was ready to engage with Haitian people and co-operate with their government.
Oxfam has said it will set up a commission to investigate past and present allegations of exploitation by staff.Oxfam has said it will set up a commission to investigate past and present allegations of exploitation by staff.
Its deputy chief executive, Penny Lawrence, resigned earlier this month over the handling of the scandal, saying she took full responsibility.Its deputy chief executive, Penny Lawrence, resigned earlier this month over the handling of the scandal, saying she took full responsibility.
Meanwhile, ministers have said Oxfam has agreed to stop bidding for UK government funding until it can show it meets the "high standards" required.Meanwhile, ministers have said Oxfam has agreed to stop bidding for UK government funding until it can show it meets the "high standards" required.
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