NSPCC probed over Rantzen PA

The Charity Commission has confirmed it is assessing a complaint regarding the NSPCC's involvement in Rantzen's campaign to be elected in the Bedfordshire constituency.

A complaint made to the commission claims Rantzen has a personal assistant (PA) working on her campaign, whose salary is half-funded by NSPCC. Rantzen founded ChildLine, which merged with NSPCC in 2005.

Charity Commission rules on the election make it clear that charitable organisations must remain independent from political parties and candidates.

The regulations state charities "must not encourage support for any particular parties or candidates".

The individual who lodged the grievance with the Charity Commission wished to remain anonymous but told CYP Now: "People work very hard to raise money for the NSPCC. I don't think they're doing that to help Esther Rantzen get elected."

Rantzen decided to stand as a candidate in Luton South after Margaret Moran, then Labour MP for the constituency, was implicated in the MPs expenses scandal.

Moran claimed £22,500 to treat rot in a house that was 100 miles from her constituency. After being exposed, Moran announced she would step down at the election.

In a statement on her website, Rantzen argues that the expenses scandal "shattered" the public's trust in the parliamentary system.

Rantzen told CYP Now that she has two PAs; one working full time on her campaign, the other working part time, organising her personal affairs and Childline work. The part time employee's salary is half funded by the NSPCC.

Rantzen strongly denied any wrongdoing. She said: "Half her [the PA's] time is spent working for the NSPCC and Childline. The NSPCC and Childline only pay for the work done on NSPCC and Childline."

The NSPCC said it would not comment further at this stage.