Mermaids’ trans support group faces ‘statutory inquiry’ from the Charity Commission

Mermaid’s woes may not end with yesterday’s failed legal case.

The trans youth support group is already facing a serious ‘statutory inquiry’ from the Charity Commission.

It was put under investigation by the charity watchdog last year as a result of ‘newly identified issues’ about its governance and management including leadership and culture.

When the probe was launched last November, the commission said it would examine ‘whether there has been any misconduct and/or mismanagement by the trustees’.

Just days earlier, Mermaids’ chief executive Susie Green quit after six years in the post.

Her sudden departure came after an investigation found the charity was sending potentially dangerous chest-flattening devices to children as young as 13 without the consent of parents.

More recently it emerged Ms Green had referred children to the scandal-hit NHS Tavistock gender clinic, even when their GPs refused to do so.

She was told by the clinic director in an email: ‘We do accept referrals from third sector groups and I know you have sent referrals in the past.’

Ms Green said in response to criticism: ‘As the parent of a trans child I have dedicated the past two decades to understanding the challenges in this area.

‘I have campaigned for my own child to get her the care she needs, and I have supported thousands of families. This experience has made me a subject matter expert.’

It was also revealed last autumn that Mermaids trustee Dr Jacob Breslow had spoken at a conference hosted by a group that supports pedophiles.

Despite a series of controversies over the years, Mermaids received huge amounts of money in grants and payments for training public bodies including police forces and NHS trusts.