The former counter-fraud head at Oxfam UK has today pleaded guilty to defrauding the charity of nearly £65,000.

Edward McKenzie-Green pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey to making £64,612.58 in payments from Oxfam to fictitious firms between February and December 2011.

A charge against the man's father for allegedly helping him launder more than £35,500 was dropped.

In response to the news, Oliver May, Oxfam’s new head of counter-fraud said the organisation will now try and recover the stolen funds.

“For someone to commit fraud and use that money for their own gains is clearly unacceptable.

“The actions of Edward McKenzie-Green were brought to light by Oxfam’s own robust counter-fraud measures and we work tirelessly to ensure that money donated to Oxfam is not lost through the actions of rogue employees like McKenzie-Green.

“We will now work to try and recover the money taken.”