Children In Need ex-chief claims she was ‘thrown under bus’ over LGBT charity grants row

Former chair of BBC Children In Need, Rosie Millard, has made headlines by claiming she was “thrown under the bus” over her concerns regarding grants given to a LGBT youth charity. Millard resigned from her position in November, citing a lack of support from the board after urging the charity to cease funding LGBT Youth Scotland due to her belief that it was “harming children.”

Children in Need had provided just under half a million in funding to LGBT Youth Scotland over a span of 14 years. However, Millard asserted that she had uncovered issues within the charity that could potentially damage the reputation of Children in Need. These concerns included the past conviction of the charity’s former chief executive as a leader of a paedophile network and a contributor to a guide published by the charity being convicted of crimes against children in 2024.

In response to Millard’s allegations, the charity defended its work in supporting LGBTQ+ young people in Scotland and condemned any actions that harm children. The chief executive of LGBT Youth Scotland accused Millard of harbouring “anti-inclusivity motives” and attempting to tarnish the reputation of the charity by highlighting historical allegations against it.

Although Children in Need eventually decided to halt funding to the charity as per Millard’s demand, she felt compelled to resign due to the lack of support from the board. Millard expressed concerns about the charity’s activities in primary schools, including initiatives related to gender fluidity, puberty blockers, and chest binders, which she believed were detrimental to children.

Despite facing criticism, Millard stood by her stance, stating that her priority was to ensure the well-being of children and that she was proud to be labelled a ‘terf’ (trans-exclusionary radical feminist) if it meant safeguarding children. She also mentioned that Children in Need funds several other charities dealing with transgender issues that she found to be reputable.

Regarding her resignation, Millard felt that her position had become untenable and that as a whistleblower, she was inevitably subjected to being “thrown under the bus.” The BBC director general commended Millard for her leadership during her tenure, acknowledging her impact on children and young people.

In light of these developments, it remains to be seen how Children in Need and LGBT Youth Scotland will address the issues raised by Millard and navigate the ongoing controversy surrounding their relationship and funding decisions.

**Insights and Summary:**
Rosie Millard’s courageous stand against potential harm to children within a charity-funded by Children in Need sheds light on the complexities of balancing support for marginalized groups while ensuring child welfare. Her willingness to resign rather than compromise on her principles demonstrates the importance of ethical leadership in the charitable sector. This case underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and thorough due diligence in grant-making processes to safeguard vulnerable populations. It also highlights the challenges of navigating sensitive issues such as gender identity and inclusivity within charitable organisations. Ultimately, it prompts important conversations about the responsibilities and ethical considerations involved in supporting charitable causes that impact children and young people.