MS charity's cutting of London links 'may see Rowling return'

Published on Wednesday 11 November 2009 21:47

HARRY Potter author JK Rowling would return as patron of a Scottish charity if it became independent from its UK parent, it was claimed yesterday.

The multimillionaire writer stood down from her post at the MS Society Scotland after it was riven with internal rows with the charity's London office.

A special general meeting will this weekend hear the results of a ballot, including a resolution proposing the society in Scotland becomes independent.

Bill Findlay, a former chairman of the MS Society Scotland, said he believed that if the charity could start again as an independent body, Rowling would return as patron.

The author announced she was stepping down from the role in April after the UK board of trustees suspended the devolved Scottish council, which oversees the charity's work in Scotland.

In a letter to Scottish branches, Rowling said leaving was "one of the most painful decisions I have ever had to make". But hope has remained that she might return, if the charity in Scotland was given a more independent role.

A special general meeting of the MS Society Scotland in Perth on Saturday will hear the result of a postal ballot of members who were asked to consider a number of resolutions.

One motion, proposed by the Caithness branch, calls for the MS Society Scotland to be independent of the UK charity. Another, proposed by Mr Findlay, urges the charity's members to record a "vote of no confidence" in the UK board of trustees.

It continues: "The failure of the UK trustees to act with due care and diligence resulted in significant financial losses for the charity, damaged its public image, and brought about the loss of its highly valued and respected patron JK Rowling."

The board rejected suggestions they acted improperly and urged members to vote against independence. Asked if there was a chance Rowling would return, Mr Findlay said: "I would say if we got through motion three, giving us independence, she'd come back like a shot."

Mr Findlay said in her letter to branches, Rowling made clear she opposed centralisation. She wrote: "I do not believe that increased centralisation of power in London will benefit people with MS in Scotland; indeed, I believe the reverse is true."

Yesterday, a spokeswoman for the author said: "JK Rowling resigned as patron of the MS Society Scotland in April and, for this reason, thinks it inappropriate to comment on the internal affairs of the charity or on the question of independence. She continues to fund research into the cause and treatment of MS, and to hope the charity resolves its difficulties."