Acting legend Dame Sian Phillips has been barred by security from an Actors Benevolent Fund meeting as a row over bullying and harassment allegations within the charity becomes increasingly venomous
Acting legend Dame Sian Phillips has been denied entry to an Actors’ Benevolent Fund (ABF) trustees’ meeting as a years-old feud at the charity turns toxic.
The Charity Commission is currently investigating allegations of bullying and harassment at the 140-year-old charity amid concerns over its governance, which has resulted in a number of its trustees being disfellowshipped.
Dame Sian, 89, and another actress, Rosalind Shanks, 79, were turned away by a bouncer when they tried to attend the council meeting at the charity’s headquarters in central London last month.
TWISTED: Dame Sian Phillips in I, Claudius
Friends claim the security guard had photos of the women alongside other former trustees who have been banned from meetings including Dame Penelope Keith and James Bolam.
Dame Sian, best known for her performance in the 1970s BBC drama I, Claudius and Likely Lads actor Mr Bolam, were reportedly among the suspects after allegations that trustees were “bullying” Secretary General Jonathan Ellicott by requesting detailed information on the charity’s financial activities.
A “formal complaint and grievance” has been filed against Mr Ellicott.
The ABF has assets of around £30m and spends £1m a year looking after actors and stage managers who have fallen on hard times.
The ABF, of which Prince Charles is patron, said last night: “Two ABF members arrived without notice hoping to attend a meeting which only ABF trustees who are required by law to attend and were therefore politely turned away. ‘