Former BAAF chief names organisations approached prior to collapse

The administrators of BAAF, London firm Smith & Williamson, told CYP Now that, following a fresh request, Anthony Douglas supplied a list of parties he had contacted about emergency funding and possible strategic partnerships prior to the charity’s sudden closure in the summer.

Last week, it emerged that at a meeting held on 9 October Smith & Williamson told creditors of BAAF they were considering making a court application to compel Douglas to supply details after he initially declined to do so.

Matthew Dunham, partner at Smith & Williamson, said: "I have asked him for [a list] subsequently, and he has provided it to me."

Dunham said he is not prepared to say who Douglas had been in contact with prior to the collapse of the charity.

The charity went into administration on 31 July, citing "significant changes and prevailing economic conditions" with the loss of more than 70 jobs.

Following the collapse of BAAF, its functions – including a number of government contracts such as the National Adoption Register and the Independent Review Mechanism, which reviews the suitability of prospective adopters or foster parents – were transferred to children's charity Coram.

But questions have been asked about the way the charity was closed and services were transferred.

In August, two former chief executives of BAAF called on regulators to investigate the sudden closure of the charity, claiming the process may have breached legal requirements.

The Charity Commission is considering whether to investigate the collapse after being sent a letter by the two former chief executives calling for an official probe.