UK Edition
Oxfam's deputy chief executive quits £100,000 role over prostitution scandal
Penny Lawrence has resigned as Deputy Chief Executive of Oxfam saying she took "full responsibility" for the behaviour of staff in Chad and Haiti "that we failed to adequately act upon".
In a statement Ms Lawrence said: "I am deeply sad to announce that I have resigned as deputy chief executive of Oxfam GB.
Ms Lawrence, who is paid £99,000 a year, joined the charity in 2006 as programme director before being appointed deputy chief executive in 2016.
The announcement is likely to increase pressure on Mark Goldring, Oxfam’s chief executive, who is reported to have said he will resign if the board of trustees ask for him to step down.
It comes shortly after Mr Goldring met with Penny Mordaunt, the Aid Secretary, on Monday morning.
Ms Mordaunt on Sunday described the scandal as a "betrayal", warning Oxfam that it will have its state funding withdrawn unless it complies with the Government and the authorities.
Meanwhile, ministers have launched an investigation into claims that foreign aid officials brushed off allegations of child abuse committed by aid workers.
The probe comes after Priti Patel, who ran the department until November, said yesterday that the Oxfam scandal was just the "tip of the iceberg", adding that officials at Dfid had "dismissed" her concerns when she raised htem.
In a statement issued on Monday, Ms Lawrence said: "Over the last few days we have become aware that concerns were raised about the behaviour of staff in Chad as well as Haiti that we failed to adequately act upon.
"It is now clear that these allegations - involving the use of prostitutes and which related to behaviour of both the Country Director and members of his team in Chad - were raised before he moved to Haiti.
"As programme director at the time, I am ashamed that this happened on my watch and I take full responsibility.
"I am desperately sorry for the harm and distress that this has caused to Oxfam's supporters, the wider development sector and most of all the vulnerable people who trusted us.
"It has been such a privilege to work for such an amazing organisation that has done and needs to continue to do such good in the world."
Mr Goldring, Chief Executive of Oxfam GB, said: "I deeply respect Penny's decision to accept personal responsibility.
"Like us, she is appalled at what happened and is determined to do what is best for Oxfam and the people we exist to help.
"I would like to place on record my sincere thanks for the years of dedicated service that Penny has given to Oxfam and the fight against poverty around the world."