Society chief attacked by MPs

The Welsh Select Committee met on Tuesday

A Welsh MP has accused the chairwoman of the Children's Society of behaving "like Pontius Pilate" in the charity's decision to withdraw from Wales.

Chris Ruane, MP for the Vale of Clwyd, made the claim as leading figures from the Children's Society appeared before the Welsh Select Committee at Westminster.

Chris Ruane MP

In November, the charity announced it would be closing down its Welsh operation in a bid to solve cashflow problems around the UK.

But the decision has continued to spark anger in the political world, with Tony Blair expressing disappointment at the news.

On Tuesday, the meeting on Tuesday between the all-party Welsh Affairs select committee questioned the society's chairman Ian Sparks and Lady Toulson, chair of the board of trustees.

The meeting was intended to put pressure on the charity to reconsider its decision.

During the talks, Mr Ruane attacked Lady Toulson for her claim that she could only implement a decision taken by the charity's trustees, not vary it.

Mr Ruane said she was behaving like Pontius Pilate or, in modern terms, "only obeying orders".

Lady Toulson, chairman of the charity's board of trustees

Lady Toulson responded by saying the whole society would implode if the charity retained its Welsh works.

The Labour MP for Conwy, Betty Williams, said the charity had failed to consult people in Wales.

The society said part of its reason for pulling out of Wales was because of the costs of working bilingually.

However, one of the society's trustees, the Reverend John Glover, said he had told his colleagues that the Welsh language was not a suitable excuse for pulling out of Wales.

The committee chair, Martyn Jones, said he was not satisfied with the charity's explanation for its decision.

Mr Jones said he may ask the charity commission to investigate whether mismanagement led to its decision to leave Wales.

Charities struggling

There is concern that the pull-out will shut down 13 projects designed to help vulnerable children and lead to the loss of over 120 jobs.

Archbishop Dr Rowan Williams: 'Furious'

The Society has said that all small and medium-sized charities are struggling to survive in the current economic climate.

It argues that this is a particular problem for church charities and those working with children.

On 14 December, trustees of the Children's Society refused to reverse its decision to pull out of Wales.

But they did agree to explore options for a further five years' funding for projects.

Negative impact'

The closure of the Welsh operation provoked fierce criticism, with a furious Reverend Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Wales, claiming the decision could have a negative impact on the lives of many youngsters in Wales.

He immediately withdrew Church in Wales funding from the society's projects, and set up a new fund to hold any money raised while discussions continue about the future of the charity.

Anger was compounded last week when the society announced reward strategy payments of £300,000 for staff in England.

The society is aiming to balance a £6m shortfall in funds across its work.