BBC Children in Need Charity Chair Resigns Over LGBT Youth Charity Funding Controversy
Rosie Millard, a writer and broadcaster, has resigned from her position as chair of BBC Children in Need, citing concerns about grants awarded to LGBT Youth Scotland (LGBTYS), a charity with a complicated past involving child abuse allegations.
Millard objected to £466,000 in grants awarded to LGBTYS, particularly given the organization’s history. The charity’s former chief executive, James Rennie, was convicted in 2009 of child sex assaults, including sexually abusing a three-month-old child. Rennie was sentenced to a life term, later reduced to eight years on appeal.
The grants from Children in Need began seven months after Rennie’s conviction, when the charity had new management. Millard claims she alerted the organization to Rennie’s case, and the charity suspended grants in May 2024 before completely withdrawing funding after a three-month review.
Millard criticized Children in Need’s chief executive, Simon Antrobus, for what she perceived as a lack of due diligence and insufficient seriousness in addressing the issue. She alleged that funding was ultimately cut primarily out of fear of negative publicity.
Additional complications arose when another individual associated with LGBTYS, Andrew Easton, was convicted in 2024 of sharing indecent images of children. Easton had previously contributed to a 2010 guide for young people about coming out after attending the charity’s services.
In 2022, two men also claimed they were groomed at LGBTYS during Rennie’s tenure. The organization suspended a staff member and referred itself to the police in response.
LGBTYS’s current chief executive, Mhairi Crawford, defended the organization, describing Millard’s resignation as “ideologically driven.” Crawford emphasized that previous allegations had been investigated and cleared by Police Scotland and were unrelated to the charity’s current work.
The Children in Need board of trustees has supported the actions of the CEO and leadership team. They have initiated a review of working methods between the board and executive, with Millard agreeing to participate.
BBC Director General Tim Davie praised Millard for her “significant impact on countless children.” The charity recently raised over £39 million in its annual broadcast.
The controversy highlights the challenges faced by charitable organizations in addressing historical misconduct while maintaining their current mission and reputation. It also underscores the importance of thorough vetting and ongoing oversight in organizations working with vulnerable populations.
The situation remains complex, with multiple perspectives and ongoing discussions about accountability, child protection, and the handling of historical allegations in charitable organizations.
