An extraordinary row has broken out at Oxfam over the treatment of its outgoing chief executive, Halima Begum. The charity confirmed on Monday that Begum had left the organisation amid claim and counterclaim of bullying, with a split emerging among members of its board of trustees.
Reports first emerged on Sunday that trustees had unanimously decided Begum should go after an independent review, commissioned following complaints by current and former staff, painted a damaging picture of senior Oxfam GB leadership. However, on Monday, trustee Dr Balwant Singh denied this, stating: 'Oxfam believes in and values kindness, justice and fairness. Sadly, Halima’s treatment has been anything but kind, just or fair.' Sources suggested that, rather than being sacked, Begum had resigned.
According to The Times, Oxfam said the external review drew on testimony from 32 current and former employees and identified 'serious issues in the CEO’s leadership behaviour and her decision-making, including breaches of organisational processes and values and inappropriate interference into safeguarding and integrity investigations'. The charity stated: 'The report’s findings have led the board to the conclusion that there is an irretrievable breakdown in its trust and confidence in Dr Begum’s ability to discharge the role of chief executive officer.'
Dr Singh said the statement made on behalf of the board had not been shared with him and did not reflect his views. He claimed the findings of the investigation had not been shared with Begum and she had not been given a right of reply. By Monday morning, Oxfam was relying on a much shorter statement confirming Begum’s departure without specifying whether she had walked or been pushed.
Lawrence Davies of Equal Justice solicitors, representing Begum, said: 'Our client alleges that she was subjected to, and continues to be subjected to, a victimising witch-hunt. The truth of what actually happened will be revealed in due course.' He added that Begum had whistleblown to the Charity Commission about various public interest matters.
