The mother of Ellie Williams who lied about sexual abuse has claimed the thousands raised for her 'justice campaign' has gone to charity.
Allison Johnston, a serving councillor who was suspended by the Labour Party after police began investigating her daughter Eleanor for fabricated claims she was abused by an 'Asian grooming gang' in Barrow, Cumbria.
Three men were implicated in Williams' lies, for which she was convicted of perverting the course of justice at Preston Crown Court last month and jailed for eight-and-a-half years.
Fundraising efforts to support Williams, 22, following her claims she was trafficked and raped amassed thousands, with one page collecting as much as £22,000.
A private social media page set up for the fake 'justice' campaign has now revealed what happened to the cash after furious donors demanded answers.
Well-wishers who donated the cash told The Mirror in February that their money had still not been returned.
The cash is to be donated to charities helping the homeless and survivors of domestic abuse, Lancs Live now reports, with mum Allison breaking her silence on the issue on the 'Justice for Ellie' Facebook group.
"I have been waiting for some time to be able to put out a post on this page in regards to the money raised in 2020 for Ellie. I want to be as open and transparent as I possible can, however I must be mindful of legal challenges.
"Based on the legal advise I have received I feel confident that I am finally able to update people safely regarding the situation around the money. The remaining funds I was holding have finally been donated in full."
Cllr Johnson, who has been a member of Barrow Borough Council, remains suspended by the party.
Her post went on to highlight when and why the money was donated, stating that in July 2020, she was trusted to hold the money that was raised for Ellie as her mother and guardian.
She said that there was a contract in place until July 2023 and believed that this would give her a "level of protection regarding the use of the money".
Ms Johnston also states that she believed the contract would safeguard her and give her time to consider what to do with the money.
She added: "Unfortunately it seemed that some people were not happy with the very contract that had been put in place to protect the money and a great deal of pressure and harassment was put upon me straight after the outcome of Ellie's trail.
"I was asked instantly to deal with the fundraised money.
"At this time I knew that I was not mentally able to deal with important decisions and I made it clear that I needed time to consider the options.
"Given the outcome of Ellie’s trial and the very public interest that has arisen around Ellie, I felt on this occasion that I was not being permitted enough time to think clearly about what would be the best outcome for Ellie, my family and the money.
"I did not want to make a hasty decision or a decision I would later regret.
"I tried to make this clear and my feelings regarding this were explained to the relevant people however my explanation was met with hostility and as such my relationship with the fundraiser broke down."
Allison has declined to give any further detail, but said figuring out what to do with the money had been "incredibly difficult".
"I know there has been many mistruths told in regards to the money all of which are unfounded and untrue," she added.
"In my opinion these mistruths have been divulged to the media and other social media platforms in a deliberate attempt to intimidate me into parting with the money more quickly than I was comfortable with.
"It is also my opinion that this narrative has been vocalised by some people to make the general public believe that I am currupt [sic] and untrustworthy.
"This attempt to discredit me and my family is of course all untrue and has been carried out without any evidence or justification.
"I have done nothing wrong other than support my daughter in what has been unquestionably the worst time of our life…..something that any mother would do."
Allison added that, in the "spirit of the contract", the remaining money would be donated to two charities - the Salvation Army and Refuge.
She also provided a copy of a solicitors letter to herself stating £10,000 was doing to the SA with almost £3,000 to Refuge.
The post ends: "I hope this brings an end to the matter of what has been an extremely unpleasant and emotional time for both me and my family."
In late January, the man behind the fundraiser said he's done everything he could to retrieve the cash.
Shane Yerrell, a Conservative councillor from Essex, said he started the Crowdfunder in good faith because Williams’s story "filled me with sadness to think that a young girl could have been through such a terrible ordeal".
Mr Yerrell had drawn up a contract that said the Williams family could spend £1,204 "on counselling or holistic therapy treatment" for her.
The remaining £20,000 could only be spent on legal advice to help Williams bring her alleged abusers to justice.
