Disaster relief charity ShelterBox has announced that its founder's appeal against his dismissal as chief executive has failed.
The international aid organisation based at Helston spelt out what it claimed were several months of negotiations with Tom Henderson over potentially taking up a 'founder-presidential' role, which he seemed to agree, then scupper, it said.
He was dismissed on July 24 - the charity today (Thursday) said for "gross misconduct" - and appealed against the decision.
Chairman of trustees Ian Munday said the organisation investigated an "alleged breach of related party transaction policy" by Mr Henderson and his "failure to protect the charity's intellectual property ownership".
He added: "The outcome was that he was unwilling or unable to understand or adhere to critical procedures, designed to safeguard the charity. Alongside this was the necessity to report this to the Charity Commission – in addition to reporting the incident, evidence would be needed of how the trustees would be able to ensure that the charity was never exposed to such a risk again. The trustees were in full agreement that Tom Henderson was no longer able to fulfil the executive CEO role without posing a risk to the charity."
The internal appeal process has now been completed and Mr Munday added: "The Board of Trustees has taken account of the independent review of the case and upheld its original decision to dismiss Tom Henderson as CEO.
Our work now continues to grow ShelterBox as the world leader it deserves to be in bringing much needed shelter, warmth and dignity to families in their greatest time of need. We have always had that vision for ShelterBox.
In any survival situation, the provision of shelter creates the will to survive and from that flows the restoration of dignity and first steps along the path to recovery. And that is what we do best and that is what we are going to do now – in working with Syrian refugees and in Haiti, Nigeria, Guatemala and in any other country around the world where people need our help."
It was reported this week that Mr Henderson is taking the charity to an employment tribunal over his removal.
See more in next week's West Briton.