Rhys Charles’ foundation accepted a £1m payment from Osama Bin Laden’s family, it has been reported. The Sunday Times reported that Charles secured the money for his foundation from Bakr bin Laden, the patriarch of the wealthy Saudi family, and his brother Shafiq, who are both half-brothers of the former al-Qaeda leader. Clarence House strongly disputes many of the claims, saying the decision to accept the donation to his charity, the Prince of Wales’s Charitable Fund (PWCF), was made solely by trustees. It was reported that Charles, 73, had a one-on-one meeting with Bakr, 76, at Clarence House in London on October 30, 2013, two years after US special forces killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan. Osama bin Laden killed by special forces in Pakistan (FBI/PA) / PA Media
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He agreed to the donation despite objections from councilors at Clarence House and the PWCF, where the money was deposited, the paper said. It was also said that a number of advisers begged the prince in person to return the money and that one of his household staff told him it “wouldn’t be good for anyone”. Clarence House disputed many of the claims and Sir Ian Cheshire, chairman of the PWCF, said the donation was “entirely” agreed by the five trustees at the time. The charity, which was founded in 1979 with a mission to transform lives and build sustainable communities, awards grants to UK-registered not-for-profit organizations to deliver projects in the UK, Commonwealth and abroad. Clarence House said: “The Prince of Wales’s Charitable Trust has assured us that due diligence was carried out in accepting this donation. Michael Fawcett accused of promising to secure knighthood (Sean Dempsey/PA) / PA Wire “The decision to accept was made solely by the charity’s trustees and any attempt to suggest otherwise is false.” Sir Ian said: “The donation from Sheikh Bakr Bin Laden in 2013 was carefully considered by PWCF trustees at the time. “Due diligence was carried out, with information sought from a wide range of sources, including the government. “The decision to accept the donation was made entirely by the trustees. Any attempt to suggest otherwise is misleading and inaccurate.” The bin Laden family has always denounced Osama’s actions, while Bakr and Shafiq are two of several half-siblings related to the dead terrorist. It comes after the Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into an alleged cash-for-price scandal in February after Charles and his former close confidant, Michael Fawcett, were reported over the allegations. Mr Fawcett was accused of promising to help secure a knighthood and British citizenship for a Saudi billionaire donor to another of Charles’ charities, The Prince’s Foundation. Clarence House said the prince had “no knowledge” of the alleged cash-for-honours scandal.
