MP meets with Oxfam as charity boss quits over prostitution scandal

The resignation of Penny Lawrence comes after International Development Secretary Penny Mordaunt, MP for Portsmouth North, held crisis talks with Oxfam yesterday.

After the meeting, Ms Mordaunt said the charity ‘must now demonstrate the moral leadership necessary to address this scandal’.

‘I was clear that part of an organisation’s moral leadership comes from individuals taking responsibility for their actions,’ she said.

Ms Mordaunt added: ‘My absolute priority is to keep the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people safe from harm. In the 21st century, it is utterly despicable that sexual exploitation and abuse continues to exist in the aid sector.’

Announcing her resignation Ms Lawrence, who was programme director at the time, said she was ashamed it had happened on her watch and she ‘takes full responsibility’.