Barnabas Aid founder Patrick Sookhdeo suspended amid reports of ‘chaos’ within the organisation

There are reports of internal turmoil at Barnabas Aid after the suspension of its founder Patrick Sookhdeo, his wife Rosemarie and two trustees, Caroline Kerslake and Dr Prasad Phillips. 

Barnabas Aid is certainly one of the most important Christian charities within the UK and supports persecuted believers around the globe. 

Premier Christian News reports that the suspension of senior figures within the organisation follows allegations of monetary mismanagement and fostering a toxic work environment.

After complaints were made by whistleblowers, trustees of the charity’s international board commissioned an independent investigation into the management of the charity and the way donations have been spent.

The investigation is being carried out by London law firm Crowell & Moring and its final report is due out within the autumn. 

Barnabas Aid said in a press release to Premier that it had “identified examples of significant and repeated contraventions of internal policies; policies that were established to make sure the correct distribution of charitable donations”.

“It further appears that the founders, and others, are identified within the interim report as having did not comply with those policies. Moreover, objectively the founders created a toxic work environment which resulted in staff feeling entirely unable to routinely voice concerns,” it states.

“In addition, we’ve also identified significant payments made to the founders (and to others near them – including some Board Members/Trustees) which can’t be readily explained. Ample opportunity has been provided to the founders to elucidate those transactions but sadly they’ve refused to cooperate.

“We have let our supporters down, we’ve let the Lord down and we’ve let the suffering and persecuted Church down.”

The 4 suspended leaders have denied the allegations and Kerslake said they’re refusing to take part in the independent investigation because they disagree with the appointment of Crowell & Moring to guide it.

“In order to make sure that the investigation is independent, and may be seen to be so, we imagine that one other firm should conduct the investigation, not less than up to now because it pertains to Barnabas Aid,” said Kerslake. 

The Charity Commission said it’s currently assessing concerns raised about operations at Barnabas Aid and what, if any, motion it would take. 

Barnabas Aid trustee Andrew Carey admitted in a press release to Premier that the organisation was in “chaos” and “crisis” but insisted donations were getting used to support Christians in need. 

“We do have great staff, and we’re partnering with some wonderful churches and communities throughout the world in a few of the places on the planet where Christians are persecuted are really suffering,” he said.

“So I’d prefer to assure supporters that though there are things we’d like to place right, our good staff are ensuring that the funds they have been entrusted with are being spent within the service of the suffering and persecuted Church.”