Charles’ ex-aide quits charity role amid shock allegations

[ad_1]

(PENNSYLVANIA)

A former aide to the Prince of Wales has temporarily resigned his post at the Princes Foundation amid allegations he used his influence to help secure an honor for a major donor.

Michael Fawcett has been accused of offering to help a wealthy Saudi businessman with honor.

Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz received an honorary CBE at the end of 2016.

The Princes Foundation said it was investigating the case.

The organization is a coordinating group for a number of Prince Charles’ charitable interests.

Allegations regarding Mr Fawcett have been published in the Sunday Times and the Mail on Sunday.

The Sunday Times said Mr Mahfouz, who denies any wrongdoing, has donated large sums to restoration projects of particular interest to Prince Charles.

Mr Fawcett is believed to have coordinated honor support for Mr Mahfouz, according to newspaper reports.

Mr Fawcett, who in 2003 was cleared of allegations of financial misconduct relating to the sale of royal gifts, was appointed CEO of the Princes Foundation in 2018 following a reorganization of Charles’ charities.

Douglas Connell, president of the Princes Foundation, said: Earlier today, Michael Fawcett offered to temporarily step down from his active role as chief executive of the Princes Foundation while the investigation of the trustees is underway.

The Princes Foundation accepted this offer. Michael fully supports the ongoing investigation and has confirmed that he will contribute to the investigation in any way.

It is understood that Emily Cherrington, COO, will take over in the interim, and the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) has been advised that The Princes Foundation is a registered charity in Scotland.

A spokeswoman for the Princes Foundation said: The Princes Foundation takes the allegations that have recently come to its attention very seriously and the matter is currently under investigation.

We are incredibly proud of The Princes Foundations’ charitable work and the positive impact it has on our beneficiaries across the UK and around the world.

The story continues

Our education and training programs, in particular, benefit more than 15,000 people each year and provide our students with the skills and confidence to find a job or start their own business.

Mr Fawcett began his royal service in 1981 as the Queen’s footman, working his way up the ranks to footman sergeant then Charles’ assistant valet, displaying his bespoke suits and shirts every morning at Kensington Palace.

He was accused of selling unwanted royal gifts and pocketing a percentage of the proceeds when he was Charles’ personal assistant, but was cleared by an internal investigation of any financial misconduct.

The investigation, led by Charles then Private Secretary Sir Michael Peat, found that Mr Fawcett had broken internal rules regarding supplier gifts, but could not be severely criticized as the rules were not enforced and he was not hiding no such gifts.

But the report portrayed Mr. Fawcett as a suspected tyrant who accepted precious gifts from outside.

The royal assistant resigned following the publication of the reports, but continued to enjoy the patronage of the princes as a freelance fixer and party planner, and was granted an undisclosed cash severance package as well as an agreement to work as the director of the events of the Princes.

Read more

What the newspapers say on September 5

British troops hailed for response to Kabul explosion carnage

Charles warns young people face immense challenges due to pandemic

[ad_2]