Three famous trustees of an illustrious actors’ charity have been sent a posion-pen letter, telling them they ‘should be afraid’.
Dame Penelope Keith, Dame Siân Phillips and Robert Bathurst have been targeted by the letter, which is now being investigated by police.
The Actors’ Benevolent Fund (ABF) is a charity whose members include a large number of big names from British film, television and theatre.
In 2022, younger trustees of the ABF seized power from then-president Dame Penelope Keith, 84, and her long-serving trustees.
Last month, tensions seemed to arise once again as Keith, Phillips and Bathurst were sent a letter from an anonymous source, making threats to the former trustees and others who had supported Keith, as reported by The Times.
The letter said: ‘You think police make me afraid. I’m not afraid. It’s you who should be afraid.’ Referring to the charity’s annual general meeting, due to be held on Tuesday, it read: ‘If you go to the AGM you’re done.’
The letter was sent to a relative of one of the former trustees of the ABF and is the second threat which they have received. Earlier last month a note was attached to minutes of a recent meeting, saying ‘They’re watching you.’
For three years, the ABF has been in the midst of a civil war ever since veteran trustees including Keith, who had been president for 32 years, were ousted, as first reported by Private Eye.
Former trustees believe they were victims of an unlawful coup, which took place over Zoom by a show of hands.
The Charity Commission has opened an investigation into the takeover.
As well as dragging in many well known actors, the row has also involved the King, who is patron of the ABF.
The charity was founded in 1882 by Sir Henry Irving, a star of the Victorian stage, to provide support to actors and stagehands who need financial or medical help.
Current trustees now include Simon Callow and barrister Rob Rinder and current ambassadors include Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston and Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones.
Alongside Keith, trustees including Dame Sian, of I, Claudius fame, Brian Murphy, of Man About the House and Likely Lads actor James Bolam were reportedly ousted from the charity over claims they were ‘bullying’ general secretary Jonathan Ellicott.
An investigation by an outside human resources expert cleared Keith and the trustees of bullying.
In May, the Charity Commission closed its investigation into the ABF.
The charity watchdog apologised to Keith and Phillips, admitting it had made ‘blunders’ in its handling of the case.
Keith was replaced as president by Esh Alladi, 41, a stage actor and doctor who later stood down.
The two letters have been given to police in London. The ABF said that it had not yet been approached by police but said that it would help officers with their inquiries.
There is no suggestion that any of the current trustees are guilty of any wrongdoing.
Members and representatives of the ousted trustees have asked about security arrangements at the AGM on Tuesday, which is being held at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End.
When asked by The Sunday Times, the ABF said it would not disclose information on security measures.
The ABF said: ‘It is clearly very distressing to get this kind of letter and unfortunately our CEO also received such a letter herself,’
The charity added: ‘The Charity Commission, in 2022, identified many governance issues within the charity dating back years, which the current trustees and ABF team have subsequently worked hard to address. The charity is now in a positive place, focused on its beneficiaries.’