Comic Relief chairman quits 'after charity joins demands for Gaza ceasefire'

24 November 2023 , 23:44

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Eric Salama has resigned from Comic Relief over its stance on Gaza (Image: X)

The chairman of Comic Relief has quit over its stance of the Gaza crisis - throwing the charity into crisis, it has been reported..

Eric Salama resigned from the top role after it joined other causes in signing a petition for a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict. Mr Salama said his decision was due to “an approach to an issue which I thought was profoundly wrong and which I could not live with”.

The charity has now said its support for a ceasefire was something not consulted on with the board of directors, with Mr Salama's resignation now prompting questions over who will continue to run it. Comic Relief is approaching its fourth decade of raising money for developing countries through entertainment.

Comic Relief also called for immediate aid convoys for civilians in Gaza (Getty Images)

The row may pose a risk for the charity if corporate donors opt out of supporting any charity thought to be taking a side in the bitter conflict. Founded in 1985 by British screenwriter Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry, the charity is estimated to have raised £14billion in its 38 years.

It was set up off the back of the famine crisis in Ethiopia at the time, running comedy sketches and skits in its annual shows each March. But the charity has not been without controversy in the past, previously fending off accusations of establishing a "white saviour complex" in it work with countries in Africa. The Daily Telegraph has reported that Mr Salama's resignation is over the charity's stance on the Gaza crisis.

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Comic Relief admitted the recent fallout came about due to “a stance being taken on a public issue without any prior consultation with the board or Eric as chair”. Calls for ceasefire have also caused major political fractions in the Labour Party after several shadow cabinet members resigned last week over their position.

Jess Phillips joined frontbenchers Afzal Khan, Paula Barker and Naz Shah in standing down as they rebelled in the vote. Writing on X, formerly Twitter, Mr Salama said his decision was based on a matter of principle and something he felt was "deeply wrong".

He wrote: “I admired Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry from afar before I joined and have even more respect and admiration and love for two wonderful human beings now that I’ve got to know them. All of which made last week particularly sad for me, stepping down early from my role and letting some people down in the process.”

He added: “But there are times in life when principles really matter more than any job. And last week was one of those times when management took an approach to an issue which I thought was profoundly wrong and which I could not live with.” As well as a ceasefire, the petition signed by the charity called for hostages on both sides to be freed and for aid to be allowed to reach civilians.

The petition said: “We have witnessed unfathomable death and destruction in the Gaza Strip and Israel.” It adds: “Neighbourhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians in search of safety have nowhere to go.”

Comic Relief said in a statement on its website: “Eric decided to step down as chair of Comic Relief, and has brought forward the date of his departure from the previously announced retirement date of March 2024. Eric’s decision relates to a stance being taken on a public issue without any prior consultation with the board or Eric as chair.”

A spokesperson for the charity told The Mirror: "Although we do not comment on internal matters relating to our staff or members of the board, we have announced that Eric has brought forward the date he is leaving. We are grateful for Eric’s time and commitment that he has given so generously to Comic Relief over the past three years, and for him continuing to support Comic Relief by helping to recruit his successor and on various other projects."

It added: "Comic Relief was formed in response to a humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, and we have joined over 700 charities, including many of the most prominent in the UK, in signing a petition about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and Israel that is focused on the need to protect civilians and children on all sides of the conflict.”

Mr Salama joined Comic Relief as Chair in 2020 following a career as corporate director for various organisations, including as a non-executive director for the British Museum. His position will be taken over temporarily by trustee Tom Shropshire.

Susie Beever