by Comic Relief is in crisis after its chairman resigned over the charity’s stance on Gaza, it can be revealed.
Eric Salama resigned after saying that Comic Relief management took “an approach to an issue that I thought was very wrong and that I could not live with”.
It is understood that the issue was the charity’s decision to join many other organizations in calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza conflict.
Comic Relief admitted that the result was over “a position being taken on a public issue without any prior consultation with the board or Eric as chairman”.
The move has raised questions about the governance of one of Britain’s most high-profile charities. Richard Curtis, the director and screenwriter, and Sir Lenny Henry founded it in 1985 in response to the famine in Ethiopia.
There are fears that corporate donors may shy away from being linked to any organization perceived to be taking sides in the conflict.
The series may also threaten Comic Relief’s partnership with the BBC, which has itself been criticized for alleged bias in its reporting on the Gaza-Israel conflict. Calls for a ceasefire have also split the Labor Party.
Comic Relief has already faced controversy over issues of a “white savior complex” in its work in African countries, although its defenders say it always works in partnership with local organizations and people.
The annual Red Nose Day Appeal TV show, featuring pop stars, celebrities, sportspeople, musicians and ordinary viewers, has raised more than £1.4 billion since it was first held in 1988.
Mr Salama, who was appointed chairman in June 2020, wrote on Twitter: “I have admired Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry since long before I joined and now I have even more respect and admiration and love for two great people that I have to know them.
“All of this has made the last week very sad for me, stepping down from my role early and letting a few people down in the process.”
He added: “But there are times in life when principles really do matter more than any job. And last week was one of those times when management took an approach to an issue that I thought was very wrong and I couldn’t live with it.”
Among the demands on the “stop now” petition signed by Comic Relief were calls for the release of all civilian hostages, especially children and the elderly.
It also calls for humanitarian convoys to be allowed access to UN facilities, schools, hospitals, and health facilities in northern Gaza and for Israel to cancel its orders to civilians in northern Gaza.
The petition says: “We have seen unimaginable death and destruction in the Gaza Strip and in Israel.”
He also criticizes the Israeli army for bombing civilians “when they tried to flee or when they arrived in southern Gaza,” adding: “Neighborhoods have been destroyed and turned into complete rubble. Palestinians seeking safety have nowhere to go.”
Comic Relief said in a statement on its website: “Eric has decided to step down from his position as chairman of Comic Relief, bringing his departure date up from his previously announced retirement date of March 2024. Eric’s decision is about the position he is taking. public question without any prior consultation with the board or with Eric as chairman.”
Comic Relief declined to say exactly what led to Mr Salama’s resignation when asked by The Telegraph about the Gaza issue.
A spokesman for the charity told the Telegraph: “While we do not comment on internal matters relating to our staff or board members, we have announced that Eric has taken forward the date he left.”
The charity added: “Comic Relief was created in response to the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, and we have signed up over 700 charities, including many of the UK’s most prominent charities, to sign a petition about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and in Israel, that is. focused on the need to protect civilians and children on all sides of the conflict.”
Other charities that have signed the petition include Palestinian groups, as well as the Center for Jewish Non-Violence, Oxfam, the British Baptist Union, and human rights and environmental campaigners.
High profile role in the City
Mr Salama was appointed chairman of Comic Relief after a distinguished career in the City, where he became chairman of Verian Group, formerly Kantar, WPP’s consumer insights division. He was also chief executive of Kantar and non-executive director of the British Museum.
In a statement posted online, Comic Relief said Tom Shropshire, one of its trustees, would take over Mr Salama’s position.
Following his appointment as interim chairman, Mr Shropshire said: “On behalf of the board and staff at Comic Relief, I would like to thank Eric for what he has done for the charity, including Comic Relief’s steering through and helping with the Covid-19 pandemic. to shape our current strategy.
“We wish Eric the best of luck in the future and look forward to his continued support in the important work that Comic Relief and its partners are doing.”
Mr Salama has been contacted for comment.
Biased allegations
Comic Relief’s broadcasting partner the BBC, is already facing allegations of bias in the Gaza-Israel conflict and Mr Salama’s sudden resignation comes after staff at the corporation accused him of double standards after being told not attending a march against anti-Semitism this weekend.
Staff members working in current affairs and factual journalism have referred to impartiality rules when they sought permission to attend the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism march in London.
According to the rules, the editorial staff should not “participate in public demonstrations or public meetings about controversial issues”.
Jewish employees have insisted that protesting against racism should not be seen as a controversial or partisan issue, and that the BBC should not stand in their way.
A BBC spokesman said: “The BBC recognizes that anti-Semitism is abhorrent. We’ve set up a guide to marches, which explains that there are different aspects depending on what you do for the BBC.
“Corporately, we haven’t issued any team communications on any particular march this weekend, but that doesn’t mean there haven’t been discussions between colleagues considering the direction.”
