The Charity Commission has contacted the charity Blue Cross to ask for more information about allegations that led to the resignation of its chief executive Kim Hamilton.
Hamilton resigned on Friday following allegations in The Sunday Telegraph that she and the charity's former director of fundraising Mike Crossley had separate romantic relationships with former employee Melanie Brown, who has since committed suicide.
Earlier in the week the Blue Cross had criticised The Sunday Telegraph for its coverage of Brown's suicide.
According to the Blue Cross, Crossley left the charity in 2012 for purely performance-related reasons.
Eight months after Crossley left Blue Cross, Brown committed suicide. There is no suggestion that her alleged relationships with Hamilton and Crossley were in any way linked to her suicide.
The Charity Commission said it contacted Blue Cross in relation to the allegations. A spokeswoman for the regulator said: “We are aware of the issues raised in recent media reports about the charity Blue Cross.
"We have asked the charity for information about the situation described in the reports, and will assess the information we receive to determine what, if any, role there might be for the Commission. Please note this does not mean we are investigating the charity at this time.”
According to the Telegraph Hamilton will face questions about the alleged deletion of Brown’s diary on a laptop she used, in which she had written about her alleged relationship with Hamilton.
Blue Cross said it had no further comment to make on the matter for the time being following a statement on its website announcing Hamilton’s resignation.
Huw Davies, director of finance and resources, will act up as deputy CEO.
A note in Blue Cross’ most recent annual accounts states: “One employee who is no longer employed by Blue Cross received £174,233 during the course of the year.”
Brown, originally from Wokingham, Berks, was found hanged at her flat in Cirencester, Glos, last August. An inquest into her death is due to be held later this year.
