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Trust's Tory donation 'illegal' Trust's Tory donation 'illegal'
(4 days later)
The Prince's Trust acted illegally by making a donation of £10,000 to a Conservative Party group, the Charity Commission has said.The Prince's Trust acted illegally by making a donation of £10,000 to a Conservative Party group, the Charity Commission has said.
The Trust held a joint fundraising lunch with women2win, which campaigns to get more female Tory MPs elected, attended by Baroness Thatcher.The Trust held a joint fundraising lunch with women2win, which campaigns to get more female Tory MPs elected, attended by Baroness Thatcher.
It had risked its "reputation and independence", the Commission said.It had risked its "reputation and independence", the Commission said.
The Trust, which has had the money returned, said it accepted the findings but insisted it acted in good faith.The Trust, which has had the money returned, said it accepted the findings but insisted it acted in good faith.
'Highest standards''Highest standards'
The Prince's Trust was set up in 1976 by the Prince of Wales to provides education, training and financial support to disadvantaged young people.The Prince's Trust was set up in 1976 by the Prince of Wales to provides education, training and financial support to disadvantaged young people.
In its report, the the Commission said that the Trust's fundraising group was "wrong" to split half the proceeds of the lunch with women2win.In its report, the the Commission said that the Trust's fundraising group was "wrong" to split half the proceeds of the lunch with women2win.
We would like to point out that our volunteers acted in good faith to raise vital funds for young people and did not knowingly breach any regulations Prince's TrustWe would like to point out that our volunteers acted in good faith to raise vital funds for young people and did not knowingly breach any regulations Prince's Trust
It added that women2win made a donation back to the charity of the same amount after the Commission raised its concerns.It added that women2win made a donation back to the charity of the same amount after the Commission raised its concerns.
The report concluded that the Trust had "either indirectly offered an opportunity to a political party to fundraise, or had agreed to a joint fundraising event with a political party".The report concluded that the Trust had "either indirectly offered an opportunity to a political party to fundraise, or had agreed to a joint fundraising event with a political party".
A spokesman for the Trust insisted it was an independent charity which did not support any political organisation, and said had co-operated fully with the Charity Commission.A spokesman for the Trust insisted it was an independent charity which did not support any political organisation, and said had co-operated fully with the Charity Commission.
He added: "We accept the findings of the Charity Commission and regret that this occurred.He added: "We accept the findings of the Charity Commission and regret that this occurred.
"However, we would like to point out that our volunteers acted in good faith to raise vital funds for young people and did not knowingly breach any regulations."However, we would like to point out that our volunteers acted in good faith to raise vital funds for young people and did not knowingly breach any regulations.
"To ensure that this does not happen again, we are providing additional training to all staff and volunteers to help them maintain the very highest standards in fundraising.""To ensure that this does not happen again, we are providing additional training to all staff and volunteers to help them maintain the very highest standards in fundraising."