Money was paid to the daughter of Sir Tom Moore via her family company for appearances in connection with her late father's charity, the BBC is reporting.
Hannah Ingram-Moore, the daughter of the man made famous for his charity walk as he approached his 100th birthday in the middle of the Covid pandemic, helped judge awards the 2021 and 2022 ceremonies involving the Captain Tom Foundation charity.
The Virgin Media O2 Captain Tom Foundation Connector Awards included the name of the charity and the charity's logo on its awards plaques. Ms Ingram-Moore was, at that time, the charity's interim chief executive on an annual salary of £85,000.
In a reply to questions from the BBC, Ms Ingram-Moore stated via email: "You are awful. It's a total lie." Soon after, she added: "Apologies. That reply was for a scammer who has been creating havoc".
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The BBC is reporting Ms Ingram-Moore has not responded to a series of questions. The charity set up to support the NHS has raised £38 million. Captain Tom was knighted before his death from complications related to coronavirus in early 2021.
For more than a year, the Charity Commission "has been investigating potential conflicts of interest between the charity and the Ingram-Moores' businesses after concerns mounted about potential mismanagement and misconduct", the BBC is reporting.
There are questions over developments at her home in Bedfordshire, including building a spa on the grounds.
The investigation centres on whether funds raised were going to separate companies run by the family, the salary paid to Ms Ingram-Moore and how much money was spent on management costs.
A spokesperson for the charity trustees said: "The Captain Tom Foundation is aware of the commercial arrangements made by Hannah Ingram-Moore with Virgin Media O2 in respect of the 'Virgin Media Captain Tom Foundation Connector Awards'.
"This matter is subject of an ongoing internal investigation. The Charity Commission has been notified of the Foundation's review of this matter and the Foundation will share its findings once the investigation has concluded."
Ms Ingram-Moore no longer runs the charity. Her husband Colin remains a trustee. They are both directors of the companies Maytrix Group and Club Nook.
A Charity Commission spokesperson said: "Our inquiry into the Captain Tom Foundation remains ongoing. Its scope includes examining whether the trustees have adequately managed conflicts of interest, including with private companies connected to the Ingram-Moore family."
A Virgin Media spokesperson said: "When payment was made, we were not aware of any concerns about Maytrix or the Captain Tom Foundation that have since come to light after our campaign and relationship with Captain Tom finished."
Captain Tom was in the headlines during the first coronavirus lockdown in 2020 when he walked 100 laps in support of the NHS.
