Five scandals facing Captain Tom Moore's daughter and charity in dad's name

08 September 2023 , 21:41

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Five scandals facing Captain Tom Moore's daughter and charity in dad's name

Captain Tom Moore captured the heart of the nation during the pandemic, providing everyone with a much-needed feel-good story as he raised almost £39million for the NHS.

In the run-up to his 100th birthday, the war veteran lifted the country's spirits by walking laps of his garden at his home in Bedfordshire as his daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore watched on with pride. He was knighted and honoured with an RAF flypast and received 225,000 birthday cards before his life was celebrated when he died in February 2021.

But since his passing, the daughter of the fundraising hero - who founded a charity in her dad's name - hasn't been able to shake criticism and suspicion, having been the subject of an investigation. Honouring his work and using his "brand" to raise more money and awareness, there have been scandals the charity has not been able to shake.

“We are excited by the future direction of the foundation and the opportunities that lie ahead of us, so that we can deliver real change and help to build a more hopeful world,” the charity said following its inception. Since then, they have hit the headlines on a regular basis. Here are some of the major accusations facing Hannah.

Captain Tom Moore with his daughter Hannah (PA)

Watchdog investigation

Watchdog the Charity Commission has been investigating 'potential conflicts of interest' between the charity and the Ingram-Moores' businesses since June 2022. The probe first emerged when it was found out that the foundation had reportedly spent more on management fees than it had claimed.

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A statement followed from the charity defending its actions. Suggesting they incurred costs "as a newly established charity" and that "expenditure has been incurred in building the team, which for some months worked on a voluntary basis until funds were forthcoming".

Covid loans

Accounts have shown she was paid a substantial salary as interim CEO (PA)

Mrs Ingram-Moore's firm took out Covid loans of at least £47,500 and claimed back tens of thousands from his foundation in expenses, it was claimed earlier this summer.

The management consultancy company made double profits during the pandemic, helped in part from loans guaranteed by the Government. Latest accounts reveal the business, ran with husband Colin, owed a bank loan of £10,000 to be paid back within a year, and a further £37,500 to be paid back after one year.

These loans were not on any financial statement before the pandemic hit in March 2020 - which meant they must be Covid loans. On the financial statement for Maytrix Group Ltd, dated up to August 31, 2021, and available on Companies House's website, it says: “The loans are guaranteed by the government."

Spa saga

Mrs Ingram-Moore and her husband are appealing against an order that would see the £200,000 spa facility at their seven-bedroom Bedfordshire property razed to the ground. They used the Captain Tom Foundation's name on initial plans to create a home spa in the building, with revised plans then turned down.

Members of the public can attend the hearing, due to be held on October 17, planning documents show. The L-shaped building was given the green light in 2021, and in a design and access and heritage statement it was described as to be used partly "in connection with The Captain Tom Foundation and its charitable objectives".

Paid events

Captain Tom branded products also had to be removed from sale amid the investigation (PA)

It is alleged that Mrs Ingram-Moore was paid "thousands" via her family company for appearances at two award ceremonies, the BBC reports. They claim her fee was not sent to the Captain Tom Foundation. Instead, it went to Maytrix Group - a company owned by the couple.

She worked as a judge on the Virgin Media O2 Captain Tom Foundation Connector Awards in 2021 and 2022, with promotional clips and plaques at the time suggesting she was there on behalf of the Captain Tom Foundation.

Bizarrely when the BBC asked about the suggestion, she sent an email saying: "You are awful. It’s a total lie." Minutes later she added: "Apologies. That reply was for a scammer who has been creating havoc" - but did not go on to clarify the situation.

Six-figure pay-day

Mrs Ingram-Moore and her company were paid close to £100,000 from his charity amid a regulatory probe, accounts have revealed. She earned £63,750 in salaries after she took up an interim CEO role at the Captain Tom Foundation, named in honour of her late father.

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She was also paid £7,602 in "general travel and administration expenses". Accounts show that £24,206 was given to Maytrix Group Ltd - a company controlled by Mrs Ingram-Moore and her husband Colin - including £21,750 for office rental plus telephone costs of £2,456.

Mrs Ingram-Moore has resigned as a Director of the foundation but husband Colin’s directorship is still active. Accounts reveal the foundation gave out £210,000 in grants, which included £50,000 to Youth Network, £50,000 to Minds Trust and £25,000 to the Florence Nightingale Charity.

Sam Elliott-Gibbs