Scandal grips Foreign Press Association

THE UK Foreign Press Association (FPA) will call a special general meeting because of what are described as "serious allegations of wrongdoing" against a member of the committee.

The FPA, as its web site states, is an independent professional body representing over 700 correspondents and over 1,000 news organisations from 70 countries worldwide. Its home is in Carlton House Terrace, bang next to the Foreign Office.

I must declare an interest. I am a member of the FPA.

The FPA told its members that the special general meeting will elect three trustees, and vote to remove the entire committee from office, but invite individual members to stand again for re-selection.

Independent investigators, said the FPA, are close to shed light on the allegations and publish a final report together with audited accounts, with the result being available at the end of August.

The special general meeting will take place two weeks after the result of the investigation is published, and that will be followed by an annual general meeting.

Six, or perhaps 12 committee members will be elected by ballot of full members.

In a statement, the FPA said that the committee "has been working to ensure that the abuse of trust that we have suffered never occurs again," and said that the long term prospects for the FPA are "healthy and sound". µ