Police are looking into allegations of fraud made against the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS).
Andy Knott, the charity’s former chief executive, alleged the animal welfare charity’s fundraising had been misleading.
Knott recently filed an employment tribunal claim against the charity, claiming he was unfairly dismissed and that LACS had not paid him for his three-month notice period and did not send over his P45 for 10 weeks.
The former CEO is also alleging that the Labour Party was “interfering in the strategy and operations of the charity” including through its former chairman Dan Norris.
Norris is now the Labour MP for North East Somerset and Hanham, having beaten Jacob Rees-Mogg.
Police involvement
Surrey Police confirmed they received a report and were examining the allegations.
A spokesperson for Surrey Police said: “We received a report relating to allegations of fraud offences on 10 June.
“An investigation into these allegations is underway and enquiries remain ongoing.
“We are unable to comment any further in relation to this matter at this time.”
Civil Society understands the police have not been in contact with the charity regarding these allegations.
A spokesman for the charity said: “The League is governed by rules that ensure we are apolitical in every aspect of our work, which in practice means we ask every party the same thing – to help us protect animals from persecution through so-called sport.
“We reiterate that the League is aware of certain statements being made by a former member of staff, but we are unable to comment further due to protections that safeguard all current and former employees’ data.
“Our focus remains on lobbying the new government to properly ban hunting by eradicating loopholes in the current law, banning trail hunting, and introducing custodial sentences for those caught illegally hunting.
“We are working hard together with our dedicated supporters and numerous coalition partners to see this change made as soon as possible post-election.”
Knott said: “This is not an issue of hunting, but rather one of trust in charities. Supporters and donors to any charitable cause expect their money to be used for the purposes advertised, to the exclusion of anything else.
“They expect charities to be truthful about what they have achieved and what they know to be in or out of reach, and in the case of the League, what they have sacrificed at the altar of political interference.”
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