Trustees at the Hadleigh Foodbank charity have denied allegations of accounting irregularities and the working practices of one its key members.

Neil Bevis the founder of the original Hadleigh food bank organisation lashed out on social media and made a number accusations, chiefly against his former working partner and deputy mayor Angela Gregg. (full story here.) The test issued a pre-prepared statement in response to the allegations and other issues.

Meanwhile, Suffolk police have confirmed they are investigating an allegation of criminal damage to Mrs Gregg's car carried out last Thursday, October 1.

A spokesman said: "Police received a report of criminal damage on 1 October after a woman reported a nail had bene put through a car tyre of her vehicle

"It took place in the car park of the food bank in Crockatt Road in Hadleigh. Between the hours of 530pm and 745pm.

"Anyone with knowledge of who committed the offence or saw any suspicious activity should contact police quoting crime reference 37/57277/20."

Hadleigh Foodbank became a registered charity in September, a move Mr Bevis did not agree with and is not on of the board of four trustees, chaired by Ruth Lucas. The other three members are Mrs Gregg, Paul Shipperley and Sasha Lawrence, registered at 10 Millers Close, Hadleigh.

A new facebook page has been set up, under the name Hadleigh Facebook Charity and the trustees aim to carry of supplying food parcels as usual.

Mrs Lucas told Nub News: "The Trustees and Volunteers are extremely concerned about such personal comments and accusations being made in a public forum with no right to reply being given.

"We can do no more than confirm that all such posts and comments have been and will continue to be reported to the relevant authorities who take the issue very seriously.

"Our priority at all times is to provide to our clients and all referrals promptly and efficiently and our work will continue in this manner to ensure no one goes without in these incomparable times, with privacy and dignity."

The full statement issued by the Hadleigh Foodbank charity:

'Over recent weeks, the Hadleigh Foodbank Charity has been made aware misinformation, and

accusations regarding the organisation and in particular accusations, misinformation, and harassment of

one of the Trustees. This has been carried out by several individuals, led by one, and has taken place

both directly and through local Facebooks pages controlled and administrated by these same individuals

The Trustees feel now obliged to make statement refuting all those claims herewith and insist that all

involved with these defamatory and slanderous statements cease and desist with immediate effect.

For the sake of clarity, the Charity status was approved on September 19th, 2020, the application was

made by the Trustees following repeated requests / suggestions to both co-founders that this should be

the status of the organisation. One of the Co-Founder's stated that they did not wish for any

constitution or bureaucracy to be involved in the running of the Foodbank and would did not support a

constitution being adopted. By late August, the operational management team decided Charity status

should be applied for with immediate effect following a breakdown in the working relationship with on

Co-Founder.

For further clarity the Foodbank Accounts are currently being prepared and verified by an independent

accountant for the period up the forming of the Charity, going forward the accounts will then be

produced and audited annually and published by the Charity Commission as is the requirement for all

registered charities.

We also always state that both Co-Founders had full access to the bank account since the inception of

the Foodbank and were jointly responsible for any transactions made during that time. The Trustees are

not aware nor have they witnessed any discrepancies or other irregularities within the work parameters

of Mrs A Gregg at any time.

We look forward to continuing the vital work of the Foodbank and its associated projects for residents of

Hadleigh and the surrounding villages with no further defamation, unsubstantiated accusations, or

harassment.

Finally, we would like to thank our incredible group of volunteers who have continued to work tirelessly

through this terrible campaign against the Foodbank in such a dignified manner.'