'˜Too shocking to contemplate'

The claim that Oxfam disclosed everything when they sacked or caused to resign some senior staff members for ‘misconduct’ is simply untrue.

‘Misconduct’ can cover a whole host of peccadilloes, and it is simply disgraceful that they should deny there was a cover-up when they did not mention whoring in 2011. Now, alarmingly, there are reports that this kind of conduct may be prevalent in other international charities.

What is refreshing is that the new International Development Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, has warned that Oxfam could be cut off from Government funding if they can’t make a better explanation of these events. She means business. At present, Oxfam receives £300m a year from Government funding and other donations.

Some of these sanctimonious organisations have been shown to be guilty of preying on the sort of people who desperately need their help: young girls, at a reported $1 a time. It is almost too shocking to contemplate.

One trouble is that many big charities are now run like businesses. How can it be morally right for David Miliband to go to the United States to run an international charity, while accepting a six-figure salary? I feel we can trust Penny Mordaunt to clear out the Augean stables and put such charities on the right footing again.

- Labour MP, Stephen Kinnock, son of former Labour leader Lord (Neil) Kinnock, has provided us all with a healthy belly laugh to cheer us all up.

As part of a political campaign to change the voting system, he announced he was embarking on a protest hunger strike.

Funny? I should say so. He planned to go without sustenance for a full 24 hours!

That won’t turn him into a martyr.

It sounds to me not much more serious than skipping lunch.