0:00:03 > 0:00:05How are you this morning, Lynn?
0:00:05 > 0:00:11'June 2015. I received a call from Camila Batmanghelidjh.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14'I'd made a documentary, ten years ago, about Kids Company.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18'Now Camila was asking if I wanted to film her again.'
0:00:18 > 0:00:19Just checking.
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Yes, yes.
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Are you ready for it?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Yes, I'm ready for it.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26It's revenge.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Round one.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29She was the Chief Executive
0:00:29 > 0:00:33of one of the country's most successful charities.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37But Kids Company was under growing financial pressure.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Reports were circulating it would have to change its ways to survive.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Camila! Camila!
0:00:43 > 0:00:46In the coming months, I was to find myself at the heart
0:00:46 > 0:00:49of one of the biggest news stories of the year.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK
0:00:51 > 0:00:53CLAMOUR
0:00:53 > 0:00:57At the start of filming, Camila seemed invincible.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Lovely to see you again.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03A media darling feted by Government and celebrities alike.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08It seemed she had no desire to step back from the fray.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10I won't toe the line.
0:01:10 > 0:01:11I will say it as it is.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14They are about to murder
0:01:14 > 0:01:17the very thing that works.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Voices against her and the charity raged.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Cameron was mesmerised by Camila Batmanghelidjh.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26The Government thought it was the right thing to do
0:01:26 > 0:01:29to give this charity one last chance.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33She had no idea just how desperate the situation would become.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35REPORTER: 'The investigation is being led by officers
0:01:35 > 0:01:38'from the Sexual Offences Exploitation
0:01:38 > 0:01:40'And Child Abuse Command.'
0:01:40 > 0:01:42As the charity imploded in front of my eyes,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Camila was accused of letting down
0:01:45 > 0:01:47the very people she'd set out to help.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Camila, Camila, Camila, Camila!
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Who was the woman behind the myth?
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Would she ever see anything wrong with the charity she'd created?
0:01:57 > 0:02:00What would you like me to say, Lynn?
0:02:00 > 0:02:03I am so sorry? But what am I sorry for?
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Accusations continued to fly.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09There is not financial mismanagement, OK.
0:02:09 > 0:02:10Am I allowed to say that?
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Nothing has been brought to our attention.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Who was to blame for the collapse of a charity that had helped
0:02:16 > 0:02:19some of the most vulnerable children in society?
0:02:19 > 0:02:22They made me the Angel Of Peckham,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26and now, they're going to make me the Demon Of Peckham.
0:02:26 > 0:02:33This programme contains some strong language
0:02:40 > 0:02:44'Camila asked me to meet her at the charity's headquarters.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45'I'd known her for ten years.'
0:02:45 > 0:02:47How are you, darling?
0:02:47 > 0:02:50'The charity's Trustees were waiting for her upstairs,
0:02:50 > 0:02:52'but she had something to tell me first.'
0:02:53 > 0:02:54Morning.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Let me tell you what's going on, Lynn.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00Shall I come in? Yeah, come in.
0:03:05 > 0:03:06Hello.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Now, Lynn... Yes?
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Look, this is the cause of all my problems, my Miss Piggy bag,
0:03:17 > 0:03:22because everyone thinks that just because I wear funny clothes
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and I have a Miss Piggy bag... MOBILE RINGS
0:03:25 > 0:03:31that I must be unable to run a business.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35The arrangement the Government has made with the Trustees,
0:03:35 > 0:03:41part of that deal is that I step down as a chief executive.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46And do you know what I need to become, Lynn, an ambassador!
0:03:46 > 0:03:49SHE LAUGHS
0:03:49 > 0:03:53I'm going to be an ambassador, Lynn!
0:03:53 > 0:03:54They want you gone?
0:03:54 > 0:03:56They want me gone, yeah.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57What are you supposed to do?
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I'm going to be entirely Persian about it, Lynn.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04I'm going to smile and accept my place
0:04:04 > 0:04:06as a woman on the sides,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09not knowing how to run a business.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12That is exactly what I'm going to do.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13On the surface?
0:04:13 > 0:04:16On the surface. Meanwhile?
0:04:16 > 0:04:22Meanwhile, I am going to work with my extraordinary team
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and the children to fight back.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27MOBILE RINGS They're chasing me.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30They're waiting for you upstairs? Yeah.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33I've got to go to my funeral appointment, Lynn.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Yeah, the death of the chief executive.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Hello, lovely one! How are you?
0:04:41 > 0:04:44'Camila was obviously in trouble,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47'but she'd invited me to film whatever lay ahead.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52'When the bosses were in though she asked me to keep a low profile.'
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Do the Trustees know about me at all?
0:04:54 > 0:04:56One of them.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58But not quite...
0:05:00 > 0:05:03..not quite what you're here for.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10(Go away, Lynn, you're not supposed to be here!)
0:05:12 > 0:05:15'I wasn't sure what Camila was up to,
0:05:15 > 0:05:19'but it was clear she wasn't going anywhere without a fight.'
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Kids Company began nearly 20 years ago.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32It was a tiny operation in the back streets of South London.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Were you very frightened at that point? I was frightened.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I would have been frightened, a little bit. I was frightened a lot.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40A psychotherapist from Iran,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Camila said many of the children were abused and neglected.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Hello, how are you?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Ten years later I made a film about Camila.
0:05:52 > 0:05:53Hello, my darling.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56By then, she had a number of drop-in centres.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Good to see you.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00This is our mural, do you like our mural?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02The kids have painted the mural.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Oh, hello!
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Oh, are you going to give me...?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Here, children and young people could just turn up.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15There was everything, from two hot meals a day to education,
0:06:15 > 0:06:19counselling and money when they needed it.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Camila's philosophy was to provide everything a good parent would.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30She created a family and she was the mother.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36No child was ever turned away,
0:06:36 > 0:06:39not even the most dangerous.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Don't make me come up the stairs!
0:06:42 > 0:06:45The only power you have over them is the power of love,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48and that's the power people don't understand.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51It's like going up the wrong alley all the time.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54And then the right solution's staring you in the face,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58but professionals don't like to talk about love.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02Did you make that? That's beautiful.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06After a year with Camila, I knew her to be an extraordinary woman.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09She had a vision of how to care for these kids
0:07:09 > 0:07:11and there was no doubt in my mind
0:07:11 > 0:07:14that her work transformed lives.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Let me see it fit you. No, no, it won't fit me like that.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Ten years later, I've returned to a very different organisation.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31Kids Company now costs ?24 million a year to run,
0:07:31 > 0:07:36and has a staff wage bill of a million pounds a month.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40It was an enormous operation and was now in trouble.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44130 - Michael McIntyre.
0:07:50 > 0:07:531.3 - Coldplay...
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Over the years,
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Camila has raised ?120 million herself.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Her donors have been happy to oblige.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04What does that add up to?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06It says here 9.864.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09That's pretty good. So, if JK Rowling comes in..
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Yeah, it's done. It's done.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15This is my list.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18So, these are all... I identified people to beg,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22and if my begging's been successful, it goes yellow,
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and if I'm nowhere near it yet, it's red.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28And, David Cameron, I'm very organised,
0:08:28 > 0:08:29even in my begging!
0:08:29 > 0:08:31SHE LAUGHS
0:08:32 > 0:08:34I can't... I don't know.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Who are these people?
0:08:36 > 0:08:37Philanthropists.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41You know, companies, the general public.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46I've just called this poor man in America, you know,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49and, clearly, I got him out of bed.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55And I think he might send me about ?25,000
0:08:55 > 0:08:57to get us out of insolvency.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59It's shit.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01It really is.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05'Ever since I've known Camila,
0:09:05 > 0:09:07'there have been countless financial crises.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10'Now, it seemed to be different.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13'People were turning against her
0:09:13 > 0:09:14'and she wasn't sure who to trust.'
0:09:14 > 0:09:17MOBILE RINGS Alan Yentob.
0:09:18 > 0:09:19'It was her boss.'
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Alan? CONVERSATION INAUDIBLE
0:09:21 > 0:09:22Hello.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24'Alan is the Chair of Trustees.'
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Yeah.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29'He is also an executive in the BBC.'
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Ten million committed in the first year is doable.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37'He's trying to get some money out of the Government.'
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Well, I'm putting it together right now.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Alan, I'm putting it together right...
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Yeah, I'm putting it together right now.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48So, I'm in the middle of doing that.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50OK. OK, cheerio, bye.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57..Lynn, the fickleness of government.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02The charity believed the Government had promised it sustainable funding.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06Camila certainly had years of Government recognition
0:10:06 > 0:10:09and ?43 million pounds' worth of encouragement.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Camila has always argued the money is justified as Kids Company
0:10:16 > 0:10:19was doing was the Government should be doing.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24What she saw was desperate and increasing need.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Children with mental health problems,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28homeless teenagers, asylum seekers -
0:10:28 > 0:10:30with an open-door policy,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33they'd all been welcomed in.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37The level of need here is phenomenal.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40You know, I've worked for social services in front-line assessment
0:10:40 > 0:10:41and it's the same here.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44We are basically operating at the same level as the local authority.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47These are kids who rely on Kids Company.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Some of them rely on us for food
0:10:49 > 0:10:52and to push and fight for them to get safe accommodation.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Spending huge amounts of time with very vulnerable kids,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57it's the best way to help them.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58You know, meetings and forms
0:10:58 > 0:11:00and paperwork don't change people's lives,
0:11:00 > 0:11:02people change people's lives.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04You know, what we do here is put people who care
0:11:04 > 0:11:07and who've got heart and passion and intelligence
0:11:07 > 0:11:10into the lives of kids who need it, and that's really the system.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12It's no more complicated than that.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Now the charity is on the brink of going bust.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23The Government has promised they'll bail them out,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26but, in return, Kids Company has to downsize.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29The money will cover redundancies,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33and they expect Camila to step aside.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37I mean, right now, I think I just need to find someone
0:11:37 > 0:11:40or an organisation with money
0:11:40 > 0:11:43to turn this around, because I don't want to...
0:11:43 > 0:11:46I really don't want to let our staff go.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Thank you so much.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58OK. All right. Bye.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03This sounds like another plan, Camila. Yes.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09I'm trying every which way
0:12:09 > 0:12:12to save our staff's jobs,
0:12:12 > 0:12:16so I'm hoping, that through a campaign,
0:12:16 > 0:12:20I can turn the redundancy money that they might give
0:12:20 > 0:12:23into money to continue running,
0:12:23 > 0:12:29because the amount they are giving to make the staff redundant
0:12:29 > 0:12:32is exactly what I need to be able to continue.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35You're going to be doing something behind the scenes?
0:12:35 > 0:12:37I'm not... I'm not...
0:12:37 > 0:12:39I never break the law.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41We have to be very clear about that.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43I never break the law.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47I just stretch it a bit! SHE LAUGHS
0:12:47 > 0:12:51Because if you're asking me,
0:12:51 > 0:12:56the correct law is to take care of these children properly,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00so I want to follow the correct law.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04And if the law of the land is not correct,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06then we have to slightly break it.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08It's a chess game,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11I'm playing chess with psychopaths.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Someone might think, "Well, you're an equally big nutter,"
0:13:17 > 0:13:22but my nuttiness is in the service of children, so it's OK.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24MOBILE RINGS
0:13:25 > 0:13:27HMRC.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28They want their money
0:13:28 > 0:13:30and I've got no money to give them.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37That's going to be a very, very delicate conversation.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39You didn't take the call? No.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Sometimes you have to give yourself a breathing space, Lynn.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44SHE GIGGLES
0:13:44 > 0:13:45No, I didn't.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50PRESENTER: 'The founder of charity success story Kids Company
0:13:50 > 0:13:54'is under pressure from the Government to step down.'
0:13:54 > 0:13:57July 2nd, the story's out.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00It's not just about Camila being forced to stand down.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Former staff and clients have been talking to the media
0:14:03 > 0:14:05about the way the charity is run.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I have spoken to former clients who've told me
0:14:09 > 0:14:13that they would regularly receive cash in envelopes -
0:14:13 > 0:14:14in some cases, large sums of money -
0:14:14 > 0:14:16and allowed to go and spend it on whatever they want,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19seemingly to encourage them to keep attending the charity.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23Good morning, darlings! SHOUTS OF GOOD MORNING
0:14:23 > 0:14:25The war begins!
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Laurence was in charge of strategy.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34So, you should limit your media appearances.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38If you just focus on the children... Yeah.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40..you can take personal attacks... Yeah.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43..but you're not going to let the children suffer. Yeah, OK, good.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Some people in the Government have been out to get Kids Company
0:14:45 > 0:14:48because we raise too many difficult questions.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Don't mention, don't even respond to financial mismanagement. Yeah.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Unless you're asked, and then talk about... No, they've been asking.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59Talk about auditors and the quarterly evaluations.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Just focus on the children. Yeah.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08In 19 years, we've passed every audit.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11It's not about me, it's not about the charity,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15it's about the children and young people who need our help.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I want something done about them.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19The allegation is it's because of serious concerns
0:15:19 > 0:15:23about the way that the charity is run. That's not true.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26We have never been told by Government
0:15:26 > 0:15:28that we're not properly run.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Every report has been exemplary.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36For every war you need lipstick.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Why do you think they're doing this?
0:15:38 > 0:15:41It's not about mismanagement, that's a red herring.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44How do you explain that the money is not being properly spent
0:15:44 > 0:15:47and that therefore your management, you know, should come to an end?
0:15:47 > 0:15:51All these allegations are completely untrue.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53The Government thinks you're part of the problem.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56I'm sure the Government thinks I'm part of the problem.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59I won't toe the line, I will say it as it is.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02I will challenge them when I need to challenge them.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08For 20 years, Camila has campaigned on child protection issues.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10She's had her critics along the way
0:16:10 > 0:16:12and now believed she was the victim
0:16:12 > 0:16:15of a malicious campaign to discredit her.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18There may be some bad stuff that comes out
0:16:18 > 0:16:22that is very strong criticism. I mean... There will be a lot.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26I think whatever comes out, you should just come and ask me.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29You know, where I've made a mistake
0:16:29 > 0:16:33and I'm not aware I've made it, I will apologise.
0:16:33 > 0:16:37And where I think I stand by it, I'll stand by it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40You know, I... And if there was wrong-doing somewhere?
0:16:40 > 0:16:43If there's wrong-doing somewhere I want to hear about it,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46and I would want to be able to address it, yeah.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49'Allegations came thick and fast.'
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Quite simply, on a Friday it was allowance day.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54And money was handed out
0:16:54 > 0:16:57and it was in the form of cash in envelopes and it meant
0:16:57 > 0:17:00that there were relatively large numbers of young people
0:17:00 > 0:17:03coming to collect money, not to engage in the interventions
0:17:03 > 0:17:07offered by the youth centre, but simply to collect their allowance.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I knew about these envelopes ten years ago.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13There's nothing secret about them.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Then, they were small amounts of money
0:17:16 > 0:17:18given to kids who were studying.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23TEARFULLY: It's disgusting, Lynn.
0:17:26 > 0:17:32Sort of middle-class perspective on what money means.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37But how does that marry up, Camila, with the stories
0:17:37 > 0:17:41about hundreds of pounds in brown envelopes every Friday?
0:17:41 > 0:17:45First of all, it's not hundreds of pounds,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48and if there is ?100 in there it might be,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51you know, a teenager with four siblings.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53It's all very carefully worked out,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55it's all based on assessment.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Oh, my goodness me!
0:18:00 > 0:18:04The sort of support I'd seen was for children like Chesney.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I filmed her years ago when she was nine.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10She came to Kids Company's after-school club.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13She'd been coming since she was a toddler
0:18:13 > 0:18:15and loved all the activities.
0:18:16 > 0:18:17I'm making a vase.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Morning.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Come on, wake up.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Come on.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27Chesney's 15 now.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31She's one of six children and the whole family relies on Kids Company.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36They live in a two-bedroom flat in South London.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39It was like special, I felt really special at Kids Company.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42It is all I've ever really known.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44'They became my second family.'
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Go on.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Chesney and her siblings are actually the second generation
0:18:50 > 0:18:52to go to Kids Company.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Her mum, Nicola, went as a troubled teenager.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57You lot, can you hurry up!
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Over the years, they've received everything from counselling,
0:19:00 > 0:19:04activity holidays, extra tuition and food vouchers.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12Chesney herself has had exceptional help from the charity.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Three years ago, Kids Company got her into boarding school.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20I would have been pulled into a gang
0:19:20 > 0:19:24if I stayed here throughout my secondary years.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27I felt myself slowly slipping downwards,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29and I didn't want to go downwards, I wanted to go upwards,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31and I realised that in time.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36I wanted to go into possibly law,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39but Camila told me that was actually quite boring,
0:19:39 > 0:19:44and she knows I'm a very creative person, so a journalist or a lawyer.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49The charity is spending ?15,000 a year on Chesney's education.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Yeah, I've got to go again!
0:19:52 > 0:19:55It's a great deal to spend on one child,
0:19:55 > 0:19:58but I'd seen this sort of intervention transform lives.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06In the press, the stories were getting worse.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10There were shocking tales of excess,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14claims that piles of money were handed out
0:20:14 > 0:20:16with little control over how it was spent.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Camila confirmed there were some clients who received
0:20:20 > 0:20:23exceptionally high levels of financial support.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28But she maintained it was because of their particular needs.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Annie, my love, are you all right? I am surviving.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37You're surviving. Did you bring all your art materials?
0:20:37 > 0:20:40I've got my bag here. Yeah, very good.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44My paintbrushes and my paint. Good. Are you going to find a nice desk?
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Yes. That's going to be your permanent one, yeah.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50Oh, my days, I'm going to have my own desk, Camila!
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Yeah, you're going to have your own desk.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56I'm going to be professional. You are.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58I am always professional. Yeah. Camila, I love you, you know.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01I love you, too, sweetheart.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Isn't that beautiful?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05And she does it all out of her head.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07So, so talented.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08This talent...
0:21:10 > 0:21:12..is what we've got to work on. Yes.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Anyway, let's get some art... And get kicking.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Get kicking. And do this.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Yes, we've got a lot of work. I'm ready to do this, Camila.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Yeah. A lot of work. Go and set up your table.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25Yeah, I will.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27OK.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30I'm, like, next to Camila.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31So, I'm happy.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Annie comes from Jamaica.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39She suffered a violent and traumatic childhood.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Her sister was murdered,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44her mother and her grandmother died shortly after.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47She was 21 when she arrived at Kids Company,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49but that was some years ago.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55That's the most amazing little birdie you could find right now.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00I'd been invited to Annie's home.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Morning, morning.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Come into my humble little castle.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08That's my favourite, this lady.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12That's the first thing I'll see when I come in
0:22:12 > 0:22:15and the last thing I'll see when I go out.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18She's always with me even when I'm home alone.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21This is a special person in my life.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25This is my sitting area,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27sitting, dining and kitchen in one.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I believe like happiness begins at home.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40And if you have a nice home
0:22:40 > 0:22:43and you are comfortable in that environment,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46you are ready to go outside and face the world.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51For 13 years, Kids Company
0:22:51 > 0:22:54had completely supported Annie financially.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58The charity had given her cash, food vouchers
0:22:58 > 0:23:00and covered all her living costs.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06She had not been able to work or receive benefits.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Annie was an asylum seeker until very recently.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Camila maintained someone else usually shared this flat
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and said Annie contributed by volunteering for the charity.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21It is my everything.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Kids Company is my whole life.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28As I said to you, I cannot see myself away from Kids Company
0:23:28 > 0:23:30or see myself without Kids Company.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35I mean, of course, I suppose...
0:23:35 > 0:23:36How old are you now? I'm 34 now.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41People are all going to question
0:23:41 > 0:23:44why you are looking after this woman.
0:23:44 > 0:23:45Because...
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Look at her.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50She's very special.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Very, very special.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Any household who has an adult child with special needs
0:23:57 > 0:24:01will recognise this, we're no different.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03If I don't see her
0:24:03 > 0:24:07and, literally, look after her
0:24:07 > 0:24:10like a special person that she is,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13then, you know, she could fall apart...
0:24:14 > 0:24:18..and become very suicidal and very desolate.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20So, you know,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23I have to keep that eye on her.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26And there have been a couple of times
0:24:26 > 0:24:28when she's been on the phone
0:24:28 > 0:24:31and she was ready to kill herself.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38But, in theory, you shouldn't be looking after her.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41In theory, I shouldn't be doing a lot of things, but...
0:24:42 > 0:24:43..in spirit...
0:24:45 > 0:24:47..I hope I make the right choices.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57Press scrutiny is now turning to Alan Yentob as well as Camila.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02The newspapers are questioning his conduct and record
0:25:02 > 0:25:05as Chair of the Trustees for the last 12 years.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10Good morning, Lynn.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14I'm coming to see my lovely, lovely, lovely staff,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16whom I love very much. Come on, Lynn.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20Two weeks since the Government told Camila
0:25:20 > 0:25:22to stand down as Chief Executive,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25she'd come to the main drop-in centre in South London
0:25:25 > 0:25:26to address the staff.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Ah, hello, my lovelies.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:40 > 0:25:43SUSTAINED CHEERING
0:25:43 > 0:25:45Ah! You're amazing.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52You're amazing.
0:25:59 > 0:26:00Sit down, my darlings.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08Where we're at is that, obviously, Government have come up
0:26:08 > 0:26:11with this equation which is,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14"We'll give you three million,
0:26:14 > 0:26:19"shrink the organisation down to ten million and Camila step down."
0:26:19 > 0:26:21The reason I'm refusing
0:26:21 > 0:26:26is because, if I give in to their narrative...
0:26:27 > 0:26:30..by proxy, their assertion
0:26:30 > 0:26:34that we are mismanaged gets confirmed.
0:26:34 > 0:26:35OK.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Yeah.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39APPLAUSE
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Remember, remember, we have forgiveness,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44compassion for all those who do wrong.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47And David Cameron's top of the list at the moment, OK.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50LAUGHTER All right. Bye.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52APPLAUSE
0:26:52 > 0:26:56I was taken aback by Camila's defiance in the meeting.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00She wanted to fight, but I couldn't see how it could work.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Camila, the Government money is conditional on you standing down.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Yes.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10Well, Lynn, we'll just Tipp-Ex that bit on the document
0:27:10 > 0:27:12and then sign it!
0:27:12 > 0:27:15SHE LAUGHS
0:27:15 > 0:27:18At the beginning, you were sort of resistant to downsizing
0:27:18 > 0:27:21of any sort, but it is inevitable now, isn't it?
0:27:21 > 0:27:23No, I still want to resist it.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25I'm still trying to work out how to resist it.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Camila, is that realistic?
0:27:30 > 0:27:32The Government may not give you
0:27:32 > 0:27:34your three million if you don't stand down.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36And even if they do give you your three million,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40you're not getting funding next year. Is that realistic?
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Realism never got anyone anywhere, Lynn.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Aspiration...
0:27:48 > 0:27:51..and imagination got people
0:27:51 > 0:27:54to transcend barriers.
0:27:54 > 0:28:00To the last minute. I've got to hold on to aspiration,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02and imagine a better situation
0:28:02 > 0:28:04and bring it about.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08A few days later,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Camila's position hadn't changed,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15but the Board of Trustees were taking matters into their own hands.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20They're legally liable for the proper running of the charity.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23They've appointed a new Chief Operating Officer
0:28:23 > 0:28:26who's taking the office right next door to Camila's.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30He'll be making the cuts whether Camila likes it or not.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35The new man is in.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Double Glazing.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39"Double Glazing"? Yeah.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41That's your name for him?
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Yeah, because he looks like a double-glazing salesman.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48And when he communicates,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51he doesn't connect with you for real.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54So, it's as if he's speaking behind double-glazing.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57He needs forgiveness and compassion. LOCK BEEPS AND CLICKS
0:28:57 > 0:28:59That's what we'll give him.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Hello, lovelies! SUBDUED HELLOS
0:29:02 > 0:29:04How are you?
0:29:04 > 0:29:07No need to be miserable, we're winning the war.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12'And there he was.'
0:29:15 > 0:29:19Right, Lynn. Shall I just close the door? Yeah, close the door.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26So, his role is
0:29:26 > 0:29:29to shrink Kids Company
0:29:29 > 0:29:32by 14 million.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34That means getting rid of
0:29:34 > 0:29:38about 450 staff.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41Appointed by who?
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Appointed by the Trustees.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Approved by the hedge fund men.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51He was even signed up and brought in before I even got to meet him.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55So, he was presented as a fait accompli.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59The disrespect is amazing.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04Now, I ran this organisation for 19 years.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07They've had to do barely anything.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09And what's your impression of him, personally?
0:30:09 > 0:30:13He's perfectly reasonable,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16vanilla-like, non-descript.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19A hatchet man.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20You know, you'll come in...
0:30:22 > 0:30:25..and he'll deliver the,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28you know, the sort of cut.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32And he'll do it, because he's not emotionally involved,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35he's not campaigning
0:30:35 > 0:30:38to change things.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39He'll just do, you know,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42like a clean bit of surgery and be gone.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Laurence, have you heard the latest?
0:30:45 > 0:30:49No, what's happened now? Come, I've just got to show this e-mail.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51And Alan Yentob sent it.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Wait, wait, wait.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57He wants you to send this. "Dear, all, this is a note
0:30:57 > 0:31:00"to introduce you to Colin Whipp, who is taking on the role
0:31:00 > 0:31:02"of interim Chief Finance Officer and COO.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04"He is here to help me and the Board
0:31:04 > 0:31:07"manage our way through these times of tight funding.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10"Colin has lots of experience and understands how hard you all work
0:31:10 > 0:31:13"supporting our children and young people. Love, Camila."
0:31:13 > 0:31:16He wants you to send that this afternoon.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20That's impossible. They're even telling me what to write!
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Yeah. He wants that to go out.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Over the next few weeks, some philanthropists
0:31:30 > 0:31:34work with the Government and devise a new plan to rescue the charity.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40It seemed Kids Company would be saved, but with huge cuts.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44Then, at 11 o'clock at night,
0:31:44 > 0:31:46I receive a phone call.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49The deal's in jeopardy. Tomorrow is payday,
0:31:49 > 0:31:53but there's not enough money in the bank to pay the 650 staff.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Ah, Lynn, where have you been?
0:31:57 > 0:31:59We're so tired.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02We are so, so tired.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05So exhausted.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10Because the media have been generating
0:32:10 > 0:32:13so much poor publicity,
0:32:13 > 0:32:17these philanthropists have now freaked.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19They've just lost their nerve.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21They've lost their nerve, yeah, yeah.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Because of the media.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Do you know what's going to happen?
0:32:27 > 0:32:29The silliness of the media...
0:32:31 > 0:32:34..is finally going to put the nail in our coffin.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38So, I mean, are the staff going to be paid tomorrow?
0:32:38 > 0:32:43Oh, my God, Lynn, they have to be paid.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47But is there money to pay the payroll tomorrow? Not right now.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Because the whole point was that the Government money
0:32:50 > 0:32:53was supposed to come in and we'd use that to pay the payroll.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55How much are you short of?
0:32:55 > 0:32:58For the payroll tomorrow
0:32:58 > 0:33:01we need 500,000.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04A half a million?
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Half a million, Lynn.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08And this is supposed to go through in the morning?
0:33:08 > 0:33:11It's supposed to go through in the morning.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Oh, it's not looking good, Lynn.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19Thank you. See you tomorrow, OK.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29For three days, the staff went unpaid,
0:33:29 > 0:33:32then, finally, the rescue deal went through.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37The charity got the ?3 million they were promised.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41After weeks of being on the edge of disaster, it was time to celebrate.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Kids Company had been saved.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50But then, out of the blue, the unthinkable happened.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53MUSIC: BBC NEWS THEME
0:33:58 > 0:34:01The BBC understands that the Metropolitan Police
0:34:01 > 0:34:05have started an investigation into a number of allegations of crime
0:34:05 > 0:34:07involving the children's charity Kids Company.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10REPORTER: 'The investigation is being led by officers
0:34:10 > 0:34:12'from the Sexual Offences Exploitation
0:34:12 > 0:34:14'and Child Abuse Command.'
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Allegations which now present...
0:34:25 > 0:34:27..years later...
0:34:30 > 0:34:32..about which I knew nothing.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38We will cooperate with the police fully.
0:34:41 > 0:34:42I am filled with horror...
0:34:43 > 0:34:45..at the thought
0:34:46 > 0:34:48..that someone may have been harmed...
0:34:50 > 0:34:52..in our care...
0:34:53 > 0:34:55..and we are not aware of it.
0:34:57 > 0:35:02'It's the duty of local councils and, indeed, the police,
0:35:02 > 0:35:04'to investigate any allegation
0:35:04 > 0:35:07'where young people may have been abused,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09'and I think the public would expect nothing less.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13'The police are now asking anyone with any information
0:35:13 > 0:35:17'or concerns to contact them or the NSPCC.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21'It's one of Britain's most well-known charities,
0:35:21 > 0:35:25'but now finds itself facing what may be some difficult allegations.'
0:35:28 > 0:35:30And now, it's a witch-hunt.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37You just feel the storm is so big...
0:35:37 > 0:35:42How am I going to save the staff and the kids in the middle of it?
0:35:42 > 0:35:45That's all that keeps going through my head.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49So, I'm just thinking, "Wow".
0:35:49 > 0:35:52It's too big now. It's a bit too big, yeah.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Because it's all about money, isn't it?
0:35:55 > 0:35:56It's reputation...
0:35:58 > 0:36:00..and a poor reputation.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05They've already made me sound like I'm a mismanaged...
0:36:05 > 0:36:09managing individual, even though we passed every audit.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Now, this second one
0:36:11 > 0:36:14is now
0:36:14 > 0:36:17we're a child protection failure, as well.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26The next day, July 31st,
0:36:26 > 0:36:29the Trustees vote to close the charity.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35What can I say, Lynn?
0:36:35 > 0:36:37You know, it gets to a point where you think...
0:36:41 > 0:36:42..you know..
0:36:46 > 0:36:50It's like the level of adversity is enormous...
0:36:53 > 0:36:56..and we've all been at it for weeks...
0:36:58 > 0:37:01..trying to save it, trying to save it,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04trying to save it for the kids.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12TEARFULLY: We failed.
0:37:15 > 0:37:16I think.
0:37:19 > 0:37:20So, Lynn...
0:37:22 > 0:37:23..we've got to get pragmatic.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26I've got to work out how I do this.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Yeah, it's like thousands.
0:37:28 > 0:37:36Just on our travel pass and food voucher list are 3,000 people.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Kids Company may be about to close,
0:37:42 > 0:37:45but there's a hand-out of money that has to happen today.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Tony's driving to South London with the cash,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53but it's late, and there are desperate clients
0:37:53 > 0:37:57who are fearful this might be the last time they get paid.
0:37:59 > 0:38:00Oh, my God.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Oh, my God.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05People need their money. They need money.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09The lady called me, you know how much she's getting?
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Just ?10 food voucher. They are edgy.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15Food voucher, ?2,340.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19And, in cash, ?9,290.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24# Ghetto, ghetto living
0:38:24 > 0:38:27# These streets remind me of quicksand, quicksand
0:38:27 > 0:38:32# When you're on it, you'll keep goin' down, goin' down
0:38:32 > 0:38:35# And there's no-one to hold on to
0:38:35 > 0:38:37# And there's no-one to pull you out
0:38:37 > 0:38:39# You keep on falling, falling
0:38:39 > 0:38:41# And no-one can hear you calling
0:38:41 > 0:38:44# So you end up self-destructing
0:38:44 > 0:38:46# On the corner with the tuli on the waistline
0:38:46 > 0:38:48# Just got outta the bing doin' state time
0:38:48 > 0:38:51# Teeth marks on my back from the canine... #
0:38:51 > 0:38:53This is what people depend on
0:38:53 > 0:38:55to make sure that their kids go to school,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57they have something to eat.
0:38:57 > 0:38:58COMMOTION
0:38:58 > 0:39:03MAN: I'm telling you - this is my money! I want my money!
0:39:03 > 0:39:06My money! My money! My money! My money!
0:39:10 > 0:39:15The sexual abuse allegations have changed everything for Kids Company.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19The Government's been told the charity is going to close.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22Some of the money they'd given three days ago under the deal
0:39:22 > 0:39:25had been spent paying staff.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27But the charity wanted to keep the rest.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29MOBILE RINGS
0:39:29 > 0:39:30Hi.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Oh, they want it back?
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Oh, that's ridiculous.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41The Government's demanding its money back?
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Are you fucking serious? Yeah.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46They want the money back?
0:39:46 > 0:39:47Bastards.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52They want their money back.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54They want 2.3 million back.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Really? They can't have it.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59Absolutely not.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Whatever Camila might have wanted,
0:40:04 > 0:40:09the Government wasn't giving money to a charity that had closed.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13There were no reserves and no means of cushioning the blow.
0:40:13 > 0:40:18After 19 years, Kids Company was closing for ever.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20We're really going to try our best
0:40:20 > 0:40:23not to just leave people without anything.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25SOBBING
0:40:28 > 0:40:30This is the only place that I've ever received
0:40:30 > 0:40:32something very good for my son.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38What we need to remember is most people who come here,
0:40:38 > 0:40:41they don't buy the Guardian, they don't buy the Telegraph.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43They didn't know. This hadn't hit them until today.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46And now that it is hitting them they're terrified.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48There's so many people that are suffering.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50So many families they don't have anywhere to go,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53they don't have anybody to help them.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55This is the only place they have come to find refuge!
0:40:55 > 0:40:57COMMOTION
0:40:57 > 0:40:59I'm afraid you need to make your way out.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02It's like we're in a Third World country giving out aid
0:41:02 > 0:41:04to people who have nothing.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06This one or the bigger one?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10And it is going to be devastating.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13I don't know what else to say.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26I've got lots and lots of memories.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40ALL CHANT: Save Kids Company! Save Kids Company!
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Why? Why?
0:41:44 > 0:41:46This is a disaster.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Who's going to pick this stuff up once we're gone?
0:41:52 > 0:41:56SHOUTING AND COMMOTION
0:42:06 > 0:42:08We have done the best we could
0:42:08 > 0:42:11by the most vulnerable kids that I've ever come across in my career.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17And this worked, and it didn't stop because it didn't work,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19it stopped because it ran out of money,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22and it only ran out of money because of malicious stuff in the press.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26This room is filled full of the most passionate,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29the most dedicated, the most talented workers
0:42:29 > 0:42:31I've ever worked with.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34And, you know, if one tiny good thing can come out of this
0:42:34 > 0:42:37it's that all of us go and we spread the message
0:42:37 > 0:42:39of how amazing this model is
0:42:39 > 0:42:41and how amazing the work is
0:42:41 > 0:42:43and how it is possible to work with children
0:42:43 > 0:42:45doing it like a family would.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49It is not OK when agencies like Kids Company
0:42:49 > 0:42:52refer children to Social Services...
0:42:53 > 0:42:55who are harmed and abused.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57I'm talking about 10-year-olds sleeping under cars.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01I'm talking about 13-year-olds trying to hang themselves.
0:43:07 > 0:43:12I'm talking about 16-year-olds on the run from people with guns.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16That's the level of risk that we have been dealing with.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19That's the reality of work that Kids Company had been doing.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21CLAMOUR
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Camila! Camila!
0:43:24 > 0:43:29Kids Company might have closed, but the hunt had only just begun.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35What everyone wanted to know now was who was to blame.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Can you respond to the allegations about the sexual allegations?
0:43:38 > 0:43:41No, I'm going now. I promise you, those allegations are not valid.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45In 19 years, we haven't had
0:43:45 > 0:43:49a single child protection problem in the organisation.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54All day, reporters tried to get answers.
0:43:55 > 0:43:58Can I ask you about the Kids Company thing? I don't want to talk.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01Is there anything more that you could have done?
0:44:06 > 0:44:09By the evening, there were shocking witness and victim accounts.
0:44:09 > 0:44:13Clients and former staff gave details of alleged abusive
0:44:13 > 0:44:17and violent incidents which they claimed weren't properly handled.
0:44:19 > 0:44:22'This charity is not spending the money wisely.
0:44:22 > 0:44:24'Can I remind you, wait a minute...'
0:44:24 > 0:44:25Six weeks after the saga began,
0:44:25 > 0:44:29the Chair of Trustees appeared on television.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32It was the first time he'd answered his critics.
0:44:32 > 0:44:34Clearly something has gone horribly wrong.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37This charity has been shut down and the accusation is
0:44:37 > 0:44:40it primarily did so because of financial mismanagement within it.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43Right, I am saying... And you were Chairman of the Trustees.
0:44:43 > 0:44:48Can I just say, it is not... There is not financial mismanagement, OK.
0:44:48 > 0:44:50Am I ALLOWED to say that? Well done!
0:44:50 > 0:44:52Did you know about these allegations of sexual abuse?
0:44:52 > 0:44:55Had no idea. And I don't believe them for one minute.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57One of the problems we have is that no-one has told us
0:44:57 > 0:44:59what they are until... I don't even know what they are now.
0:44:59 > 0:45:01You were Chairman of the Trustees,
0:45:01 > 0:45:03surely, it was your job to know about it.
0:45:03 > 0:45:06This is a charity that looked after 36,000 children,
0:45:06 > 0:45:08'it's rather important! Would you apologise to those children
0:45:08 > 0:45:11'and indeed the workers at Kids Company
0:45:11 > 0:45:13'that you did not do your job properly
0:45:13 > 0:45:16'as the Chairman of the Trust, the man in charge?
0:45:16 > 0:45:20'You don't seem to have listened to what I've just said to you.'
0:45:20 > 0:45:24Alan has come out publicly now and spoken. Yeah.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26This is after the event. Yeah.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32Well, I think before that,
0:45:32 > 0:45:36he was very worried about Government
0:45:38 > 0:45:43and his position in relation to, you know,
0:45:43 > 0:45:46having to make sure that he was moderate,
0:45:46 > 0:45:49so that he could get the Government funding in.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51And then at the same time,
0:45:51 > 0:45:56there was the negotiations for the BBC licensing.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59So, he's in a very, very difficult position.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01Everybody wants a simple answer.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05I mean you know, who is to blame here, Camila, I mean, it's.. Yeah.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07It's a very good question who's to blame.
0:46:09 > 0:46:10I just think...
0:46:12 > 0:46:14..it's a collective
0:46:15 > 0:46:17..madness...
0:46:19 > 0:46:21..that the media,
0:46:21 > 0:46:23the politicians,
0:46:23 > 0:46:25engaged in...
0:46:27 > 0:46:30..and I was supposed to be killed off.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34No blame?
0:46:34 > 0:46:36Are you doing it to me, as well?
0:46:36 > 0:46:39What would you like me to say, Lynn?
0:46:39 > 0:46:41I am so sorry?
0:46:41 > 0:46:43But what am I sorry for?
0:46:43 > 0:46:46I'm NOT sorry I gave the kids money.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49I am NOT sorry I bought the kids nice things.
0:46:49 > 0:46:53I am NOT sorry I fought for them. I'm NOT sorry.
0:46:53 > 0:46:56The only thing I'm sorry about is I didn't raise enough money.
0:46:56 > 0:47:00What would you like me to be sorry about, Lynn?
0:47:01 > 0:47:03It seemed to me Camila was in denial.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08I questioned whether money had always been spent wisely.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15Annie's been entirely dependent on Kids Company for years.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22If Kids Company aren't supporting you, now,
0:47:22 > 0:47:25what's going to happen with your rent? I don't have a clue.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29I don't know, I don't know where to start from.
0:47:30 > 0:47:32When's it paid up till, do you know?
0:47:32 > 0:47:34No, I don't even have a clue about that.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40I used to think I have a future...
0:47:42 > 0:47:44..but now,
0:47:44 > 0:47:46the future is just so blurred...
0:47:49 > 0:47:53..because it's like I'm in the middle of nowhere, yeah,
0:47:53 > 0:47:57and don't know which side to turn.
0:48:00 > 0:48:06And I don't know if someone's going to come and see me in the dark
0:48:06 > 0:48:08and switch the light on for me.
0:48:17 > 0:48:19So, then...
0:48:19 > 0:48:21if I'm stuck in the dark too much...
0:48:26 > 0:48:29..the only thing I can say is should I just stay in the dark and die?
0:48:30 > 0:48:32Oh, Annie...
0:48:34 > 0:48:36No-one's going to let that happen.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41That's what I'm saying, Camila's not going to let that happen.
0:48:41 > 0:48:43So, I'm still in this dark place...
0:48:46 > 0:48:48..and I'm still waiting for her...
0:48:52 > 0:48:55TEARFULLY: ..cos I know she's going to find me, here.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58She's going to find me anyway,
0:48:58 > 0:49:01and she's going to take me back out of that dark place.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12Camila continued to be the person
0:49:12 > 0:49:15Annie relied on for absolutely everything.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18She's vulnerable, and my worry is,
0:49:18 > 0:49:22what's going to happen to her now?
0:49:23 > 0:49:24In the world outside,
0:49:24 > 0:49:28the tabloids were unearthing more damaging stories.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32Some seemed to be nonsense, others I couldn't ignore.
0:49:34 > 0:49:38Tony was one of Camila's longest-serving members of staff.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41I'd known him since filming ten years ago.
0:49:41 > 0:49:46He'd always said his family had been well cared for by Kids Company.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50But now I discover it amounted to ?130,000
0:49:50 > 0:49:53on a range of support for both his children.
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Another press statement was being prepared.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59Tony Cavolli is employed by Kids.
0:49:59 > 0:50:03The employee in question is employed by Kids Company as a key worker.
0:50:03 > 0:50:06As a key working manager. He...
0:50:08 > 0:50:14He also does operations. Yeah, does operations. Yeah.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17He has a car for purposes of his job so he can do outreach work,
0:50:17 > 0:50:20and it's categorically untrue that you employ a chauffeur,
0:50:20 > 0:50:23and we'll just put that out. Also we can prove it,
0:50:23 > 0:50:27because when I go to other places, I use a completely different driver,
0:50:27 > 0:50:30you know, when I go and give speeches. I know that, I know,
0:50:30 > 0:50:33but we don't want to draw attention to that either,
0:50:33 > 0:50:35because the bill for that is...
0:50:35 > 0:50:38runs into like 30,000 or 40,000 a year, which we don't... No, no, no.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42Well, whatever it is. It's five figures, isn't it? Yeah.
0:50:42 > 0:50:44MOBILE RINGS
0:50:44 > 0:50:46Oh, no! Yeah.
0:50:46 > 0:50:50Oh, no. This is - this is the one. Yeah.
0:50:50 > 0:50:52That is bad. Yeah. I completely ignored him. Yeah.
0:50:52 > 0:50:56I think we should just ignore him. No, just ignore that, yeah. Yeah.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58Yeah, just don't even mention that. No.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01This is the very worst of it now coming. Yeah.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04What is this? No, we're not even going to talk about that. What?
0:51:04 > 0:51:06Yeah, it's... No. No, it's just nonsense.
0:51:06 > 0:51:09This is all like Camila's, you know, living with her PAs
0:51:09 > 0:51:11and they're all together, and... Is there something else?
0:51:11 > 0:51:13It's all rubbish. No.
0:51:16 > 0:51:19This was the story Laurence didn't want to talk about.
0:51:30 > 0:51:32Camila, what is going on?
0:51:34 > 0:51:36I'm feeling uncomfortable.
0:51:36 > 0:51:37About what?
0:51:37 > 0:51:40Well, because you wanted me here as an independent observer. Yeah.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42And I feel I have to ask you...
0:51:42 > 0:51:46Ask me anything you want. What would you like to ask?
0:51:48 > 0:51:51You know, I thought this was a charity for disadvantaged children.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53It is.
0:51:54 > 0:51:58Could you not have found another house without a swimming pool?
0:51:58 > 0:52:01I mean, it... Was that...?
0:52:01 > 0:52:03I mean, in retrospect,
0:52:03 > 0:52:08do you not think that that was an error of judgment?
0:52:08 > 0:52:11Again, I didn't think about it.
0:52:11 > 0:52:16I didn't think about it in terms of what outsiders would think.
0:52:16 > 0:52:21I made sure that I rented the swimming pool separately.
0:52:21 > 0:52:27And it's not a luxury pool, it's a pool the size of this floor.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29For the last 30 years,
0:52:29 > 0:52:32Camila herself has lived in a modest two-bedroom flat.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38We wanted to have somewhere for the kids
0:52:38 > 0:52:41who were very traumatised
0:52:41 > 0:52:43to live without the possibility of getting attacked.
0:52:46 > 0:52:48Come to the mansion swimming pool, Lynn!
0:52:48 > 0:52:50CAMILA CHUCKLES
0:52:54 > 0:52:55There's another door.
0:52:56 > 0:52:58There you are, darling.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04Go and have a look.
0:53:08 > 0:53:12Camila said she'd paid a ?1,000 a year for use of the pool.
0:53:13 > 0:53:18She denied reports the five-bedroom house wasn't always fully occupied.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22"It was a psychiatric facility," she said,
0:53:22 > 0:53:25"and the ?5,000 a month rent was value for money."
0:53:27 > 0:53:30It doesn't feel like a mansion to me.
0:53:31 > 0:53:37The expectation that poor children should have diminished quality,
0:53:37 > 0:53:40this is the sub-text, isn't it? I don't abide by that.
0:53:44 > 0:53:49I think that these kids deserve to have quality
0:53:49 > 0:53:53like rich kids might or like middle-class kids might.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58Camila has always had her own moral code.
0:54:00 > 0:54:04She considers herself primarily accountable to the children,
0:54:04 > 0:54:07but for me, personally, everything had changed.
0:54:10 > 0:54:14You've never ever accepted any sort of mismanagement?
0:54:14 > 0:54:17No. No, I think...
0:54:17 > 0:54:19But, Camila, how can that be the case, really?
0:54:19 > 0:54:23Because it depends what you call "mismanagement", OK.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27If you are saying mismanagement is lack of reserves,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30we always wanted to have reserves
0:54:30 > 0:54:32and we spoke to Government about reserves...
0:54:32 > 0:54:35Yeah, but Camila, ANY sort of mismanagement?
0:54:35 > 0:54:37Well, what mismanagement are you referring to?
0:54:37 > 0:54:40It's such a broad...title.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44When we started, you said that I should come to you
0:54:44 > 0:54:46if I felt there'd been any wrong-doing.
0:54:46 > 0:54:47Yeah, yeah, and I'm glad.
0:54:47 > 0:54:53I'm glad that you've done that and you're asking me these questions.
0:54:53 > 0:54:55But I also, Lynn, don't want to be
0:54:55 > 0:55:01twisted into a narrative
0:55:01 > 0:55:03that isn't the real narrative.
0:55:04 > 0:55:08But what's so upsetting is that all of this stuff
0:55:08 > 0:55:10has just overshadowed that.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16It's very hard for people to remember that you did do good. Yeah.
0:55:16 > 0:55:21That it was valuable work and that people were helped. Yeah, but...
0:55:21 > 0:55:23I mean, that's what I feel upset and cross about.
0:55:23 > 0:55:27Yeah, and I understand that,
0:55:27 > 0:55:30and that is, you know,
0:55:30 > 0:55:34the way that all this stuff has happened in the media
0:55:34 > 0:55:36is an absolute betrayal
0:55:36 > 0:55:38of the amazing work the staff did
0:55:38 > 0:55:41and the courage of the children.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44I suppose, I just worry that you've made it easy for them
0:55:44 > 0:55:46in some respects. I don't...
0:55:46 > 0:55:50I think you are...
0:55:50 > 0:55:53You know, you are focusing...
0:55:53 > 0:55:56You are, in some ways, behaving like them.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04Camila remained unrepentant on all fronts.
0:56:04 > 0:56:07After closure, she didn't stop working.
0:56:08 > 0:56:12Her commitment to the kids was entirely unshaken.
0:56:12 > 0:56:16She continued to do what she could to feed some of the families
0:56:16 > 0:56:18with the help of a few loyal donors.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21Come on, the children need to be served.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23That's too much.
0:56:23 > 0:56:27Come around here, come around here, please.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32Many staff had trouble finding work.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36The Kids Company brand had become toxic.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40Others kept in touch with the clients
0:56:40 > 0:56:42and helped out in any way they could.
0:56:45 > 0:56:47How things change.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49Your new specialism.
0:56:49 > 0:56:51Yeah, putting pasta in plastic bags.
0:56:51 > 0:56:53I'm quite good at it as it turns out.
0:56:55 > 0:56:58Annie was now able to claim benefits
0:56:58 > 0:57:01and she continued to volunteer,
0:57:01 > 0:57:03helping the Kids Company family she loved.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05I'm on egg duty this week.
0:57:05 > 0:57:08I'm retired from doing boxes.
0:57:08 > 0:57:09I'm doing eggs now.
0:57:12 > 0:57:15The Local Authorities maintained they were picking up
0:57:15 > 0:57:17the former Kids Company clients,
0:57:17 > 0:57:19although it wasn't clear who or how many.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24For Chesney, there was good news.
0:57:24 > 0:57:27The school and other charities took care of her school fees
0:57:27 > 0:57:29so she could continue boarding.
0:57:29 > 0:57:34I feel like I've been given the gift of education
0:57:34 > 0:57:39and I will use it to my full extent.
0:57:42 > 0:57:45Even after closure, the quest for answers went on.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50There were nine inquiries of one kind or another.
0:57:50 > 0:57:54The BBC wanted to know if Alan Yentob had abused his position.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59There had been repeated demands for his resignation,
0:57:59 > 0:58:02and, in December, he finally resigned
0:58:02 > 0:58:05his executive post at the BBC.
0:58:05 > 0:58:08For months, I'd asked him to take part in this film,
0:58:08 > 0:58:11but he'd always declined.
0:58:11 > 0:58:14At the Parliamentary hearing,
0:58:14 > 0:58:17he was seen for the first time at Camila's side.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19They were in the dock together.
0:58:21 > 0:58:24Was it really sensible to live such a hand-to-mouth existence?
0:58:24 > 0:58:27There was not one... May I come in? I am asking Mr Yentob the question.
0:58:27 > 0:58:30It's something that we brought up with Government. Order!
0:58:32 > 0:58:35The inquiries painted a picture of a dysfunctional charity
0:58:35 > 0:58:39and a staggering lack of Government scrutiny.
0:58:39 > 0:58:42Kids Company was very well run for nearly 20 years.
0:58:42 > 0:58:44But it closed!
0:58:44 > 0:58:46In the end, the sex allegations
0:58:46 > 0:58:50that had shut down Kids Company came to nothing.
0:58:50 > 0:58:53The police investigation was closed.
0:58:54 > 0:58:58But it seemed to me, there'd been serious errors of judgment.
0:58:58 > 0:59:01Kids Company had grown too big.
0:59:01 > 0:59:06And as the founder, Camila had spent 20 years doing things her own way.
0:59:09 > 0:59:13But I also knew Camila had simply wanted to help more children,
0:59:13 > 0:59:17bringing the love of a family to troubled lives.
0:59:17 > 0:59:20Despite everything, she's determined to fight on.
0:59:20 > 0:59:23Camila Batmanghelidjh may be down -
0:59:23 > 0:59:25but she's not out.
0:59:25 > 0:59:27ALL LAUGH