|
Investigation
into RSPCA leak
A
HUGE investigation is to take place is to take place due to
the speculation surrounding an RSPCA council leak that resulted
in a Watchdog report.
The programme broadcast last October revealed the RSPCA may
not be providing the protection of animals which they promise
with regard to Freedom Food farms. Watchdog suggested that the
RSPCA were not monitoring the scheme appropriately when filming
at some of the so-called Freedom Food farms revealed a less
than ‘free’ set-up.
The RSPCA has claimed since the programme has been broadcast
they have had substantial losses of money, including donations,
legacies and memberships.
However The Daily Telegraph has been privy to confidential minutes
of a council meeting which dispose a rift within the council
as to whether the investigation should indeed go ahead. There
also appear to be discrepancies regarding the clause which stops
council members speaking to the media. This latter point has
brought to light as an anonymous member of the council condemned
the scheme to the BBC.
It has been estimated by a RSPCA source that the investigation
could cost up to £90,000. A sum of money which one member
of the council was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying “It’s
ridiculous, people are giving money to the RSPCA for animal
welfare and this is how it is being spent.
“The same day we were talking about the deficit and millions
of pounds in cuts. All the RSPCA’s plans have been cut
back yet money for this investigation was voted straight through.”
Confirm
Although
denying there had been any cuts a spokesperson for the RSPCA
did however confirm plans had been put on hold “Money
we would invest in new projects is being held up a for a matter
of weeks when it will be reviewed. The money for the investigation
hasn’t been fixed but will be approved by the treasurer.
“It’s good corporate governance to investigate this.
We are under pressure from the Charity Commission to investigate
these leaks.”
The aim of the investigation is to discover who spoke to the
BBC and as already begun. Members of the council have been
asked declare that they were not involved by signing a witness
statement.
|
