Great Ormond Street Hospital considering position on Presidents Club donations

Great Ormond Street Hospital is in talks about whether or not to return funds donated by the controversial Presidents Club trust.

The children's charity said last month it would return previous donations from the trust following a men-only dinner at The Dorchester hotel on January 18, which gained notoriety following claims female hostesses had been groped.

The hospital confirmed on Monday it is "in discussions" with the Charity Commission and will consider its position at a trustee meeting in March.

An undercover investigation by the Financial Times lifted the lid on the exclusive Presidents Club event, alleging female staff were subject to sexual harassment and inappropriate advances by guests.

The report sparked a furious backlash and several high-profile charities refused to take any donations from the trust.

A spokeswoman for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) Children's Charity described reports about the event as shocking and on January 24 said it is "returning previous donations and will no longer accept gifts from the Presidents Club Charitable Trust".

But in a statement on Monday, a GOSH spokeswoman said: "Guiding all our thinking is our aim to maximise the support to the hospital and the families it cares for.

"We can confirm that we are in discussions with the Charity Commission and are scheduled to meet them later this week.

"Following this meeting and taking into account the latest developments with the Presidents Club Charitable Trust and feedback from our supporters, we will consider our position at our March Trustee meeting."