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Kids Company founder confirms charity's closure Kids Company founder confirms charity's closure
(35 minutes later)
The founder of Kids Company said the children’s charity would close on Wednesday evening amid concerns over its funding. Camila Batmanghelidjh said that the organisation had to “abandon a lot of children” as a result.The founder of Kids Company said the children’s charity would close on Wednesday evening amid concerns over its funding. Camila Batmanghelidjh said that the organisation had to “abandon a lot of children” as a result.
She told The Report on BBC Radio 4 that the doors would close at the charity, which supports severely abused and traumatised children, at 7pm.She told The Report on BBC Radio 4 that the doors would close at the charity, which supports severely abused and traumatised children, at 7pm.
Batmanghelidjh blamed “rumour-mongering civil servants”, ministers and the media for having “put the nail” in its coffin.Batmanghelidjh blamed “rumour-mongering civil servants”, ministers and the media for having “put the nail” in its coffin.
But there were also concerns over how public money was being spent by the charity after it was revealed that some of a £3m emergency restructuring grant – awarded a week ago – was spent on overdue staff wages.But there were also concerns over how public money was being spent by the charity after it was revealed that some of a £3m emergency restructuring grant – awarded a week ago – was spent on overdue staff wages.
Batmanghelidjh had been forced to stand aside in order to secure the emergency funding. The BBC reported that the government was trying to get some of the money back in light of the closure.Batmanghelidjh had been forced to stand aside in order to secure the emergency funding. The BBC reported that the government was trying to get some of the money back in light of the closure.
Related: How did Kids Company get so far away from those it was meant to help?Related: How did Kids Company get so far away from those it was meant to help?
Earlier on Wednesday, the former children’s minister Tim Loughton said he had raised “serious concerns” about the charity’s finances when in post. He told the BBC that he recommended turning Kids Company down when it asked for more money not long after being awarded one of the largest grants he was responsible for in his two years as a minister.Earlier on Wednesday, the former children’s minister Tim Loughton said he had raised “serious concerns” about the charity’s finances when in post. He told the BBC that he recommended turning Kids Company down when it asked for more money not long after being awarded one of the largest grants he was responsible for in his two years as a minister.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “When they came back to us to ask for more money, assuming it was going to be carried on, I raised serious concerns, as did officials in the Department for Education, and advised against paying the grant, because I needed to see what value for money we were giving to the taxpayer and what the actual results were.He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “When they came back to us to ask for more money, assuming it was going to be carried on, I raised serious concerns, as did officials in the Department for Education, and advised against paying the grant, because I needed to see what value for money we were giving to the taxpayer and what the actual results were.
“We know that when taxpayers’ money is involved in particular we need to know that that money is being spent on the purposes it is intended [for] and we’re seeing real and sustainable results, and I was never convinced.”“We know that when taxpayers’ money is involved in particular we need to know that that money is being spent on the purposes it is intended [for] and we’re seeing real and sustainable results, and I was never convinced.”
Kids Company fell into financial difficulties after the government pulled an annual grant of £5m. The charity believes the two parties fell out after it ran a campaign that was critical of the UK’s child protection system. Whitehall said the campaign did not show the government enough respect.Kids Company fell into financial difficulties after the government pulled an annual grant of £5m. The charity believes the two parties fell out after it ran a campaign that was critical of the UK’s child protection system. Whitehall said the campaign did not show the government enough respect.
Batmanghelidjh has previously alleged that the government was running a whispering campaign against her.Batmanghelidjh has previously alleged that the government was running a whispering campaign against her.
She told the BBC in July: “This is briefing to avoid the real issues. The type of briefing they are now delivering is one in which they are attempting to discredit me, so my message is weakened.She told the BBC in July: “This is briefing to avoid the real issues. The type of briefing they are now delivering is one in which they are attempting to discredit me, so my message is weakened.
“I pray to God it is not coming from David Cameron and his team. I still have to have faith he wants to do the right thing by children.”“I pray to God it is not coming from David Cameron and his team. I still have to have faith he wants to do the right thing by children.”
Related: Kids Company helped me when I needed it most | Letters
And, in an interview with the Guardian that same month, she criticised Cameron, claiming he lacked courage when faced with criticism over his stance on caring for children.And, in an interview with the Guardian that same month, she criticised Cameron, claiming he lacked courage when faced with criticism over his stance on caring for children.