The family of lockdown hero Captain Sir Tom Moore has been accused of using his name to build a spa and pool at their home.
Captain Tom's daughter Hannah Ingram-Moore and her husband Colin put forward a planning application in their own name for a 'Captain Tom Building' to use as an office space at the property in Bedfordshire. But the Mirror reports that they referenced the charity created in his name in a design statement included with the application – and built a spa.
The Captain Tom Foundation said it was "at no time...aware" of the fact it had been name-checked in the application. And while permission for the building was given, a retrospective application for a spa – made after it had already been built– was denied.
The couple declined to speak to The Sun, which first reported the allegations, at their seven-bed home. A resident said: "It feels like they thought that their goodwill gave them cover to do whatever they wanted."
Captain Tom shot to fame after walking 100 laps of his garden during lockdown to raise money for the NHS, and to mark his 100th birthday. He aimed to raise more than £1,000, but ultimately raised over £30 million for NHS Charities Together.
He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II and died following a short battle with Covid and pneumonia. Hannah and Colin established the Captain Tom Foundation in June 2020, but last year it became the subject of a Charity Commission probe over concerns about its management and independence from the World War Two veteran's family.
The commission said it was concerned about a "failure to consider intellectual property and trademark issues" when the charity was set up. The money raised by Captain Sir Tom was donated to a separate charity before the Foundation was formed and is not part of the investigation.
The charity's trustees said: "At no time were The Captain Tom Foundation's independent trustees aware of planning permissions made by Mr and Mrs Ingram-Moore purporting to be in the foundation's name. Had they been aware of any applications, the independent trustees would not have authorised them."
In July 2021, the regulator refused permission for the Foundation to employ Ingram-Moore as chief executive on a salary of £100,000 a year, saying it was not justifiable. However, the following month it allowed her to be appointed for a wage of £85,000 for a maximum of nine months while they looked for a new CEO, who has since been recruited.
Helen Stephenson, chief executive of the Charity Commission, previously said: "Captain Sir Tom Moore inspired the nation. It is vital public trust in charity is protected."
An earlier statement from the Ingram-Moores, released through their "business support service" firm Club Nook, said: "Club Nook Ltd made its application for trademark prior to the formation of the foundation. Neither Hannah nor Colin were trustee directors upon its formation."
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