Naomi Campbell hits back at 'deeply flawed' watchdog findings which led to her being banned as a trustee at her fashion charity after its spending splurge - as model orders a new probe

Model Naomi Campbell says a charity watchdog's findings which led to her being banned as a trustee were 'deeply flawed', as she revealed she has instructed new advisers to investigate what happened at her charity Fashion for Relief.

The 54-year-old, who was disqualified from being a trustee for five years, said the Charity Commission's report was 'incomplete and misleading in their consideration of evidence'.

The watchdog claimed it had found serious mismanagement of funds including hotel stays and spa treatments.

Details emerged yesterday that the organisation splurged £12,000 on a flight to Nice to transfer art and jewellery, as well as splashing out £7,800 on a luxury hotel stay for the model .

The Charity Commission also found that of the £4.8million generated by Fashion For Relief between 2016 and 2022, only £389,000 was given to good causes.

An inquiry found that between April 2016 and July 2022, just 8.5 per cent of the charity's overall spending was on charitable grants.

Campbell was one of three trustees to be disqualified as a result of the probe.

'First of all, I recognise that, as the face of Fashion for Relief, I am ultimately responsible for its conduct,' Campbell said in a statement.

'Unfortunately, I was not involved in the day-to-day operations of the organisation, and I entrusted the legal and operational management to others.

'I want to assure everyone who has supported us that these findings are being taken very seriously.

'I have instructed new advisers to undertake a detailed investigation of what transpired.'

Campbell insisted she has 'never been paid a fee for my participation in Fashion for Relief nor billed any personal expenses to the organisation'.

'I've dedicated nearly 30 years of my life to charitable initiatives, and I care deeply about the value and impact of the work I do,' she said.

'Typically, I align my charity work with paid assignments, which cover my travel and related expenses.

'In cases where this is not possible, either myself or personal friends have covered the expenses.

'In fact, in terms of the specific hotel expense mentioned in the report, the hotel has confirmed that all charges were settled by my personal travel agent, who in turn verified that they were reimbursed directly by a third party unaffiliated with the foundation.'

Campbell said she intends to consider all options, including requesting an appeal, to ensure the report 'presents a fair and accurate representation of our operations'.

'We believe aspects of the report are deeply flawed,' she added.

The Charity Commission, which registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, opened an inquiry into Fashion for Relief in 2021.

It was dissolved and removed from the register of charities earlier this year.

It had been set up with the aim of uniting the fashion industry to relieve poverty and advance health and education by making grants to other organisations and providing resources after global disasters.

The trustees of the charity were Ms Campbell, her key aide Veronica Chou who is the heiress to a £2 billion textile fortune, and socialite and lawyer Bianka Hellmich.

Ms Chou quit the charity days after the Commission launched its probe in 2021.