Boss probed over women's centre cash

POLICE are probing a former women's centre boss who resigned after allegations of financial irregularities.

Joanne Drinkwater quit her post as manager of Salford's Women Centre in May, 2006.

She was arrested last September on suspicion of stealing money from the council-backed centre.

Mrs Drinkwater, 42, remains on police bail and a year-long police investigation is continuing. She has not been charged with any offence.

The probe centres on allegations that £15,000 was taken from the centre's funds.

But it is also claimed that £11,500 of the money has since been repaid.

The centre has been running since 1985 and provides counselling and support services, free creche facilities, a cafe and a range of creative activities.

Salford council gives it just under £70,000 a year and further money comes from Salford Primary Care Trust, to bring its main annual funds to £104,000.

The centre also receives donations and money from local community groups and from its own fundraising.

Mrs Drinkwater, who lives in Salford, was employed by the centre's own independent management committee.

Allegations of false invoicing were first brought to the attention of the council last year.

The council made initial checks but then advised the centre's management committee to alert police as Mrs Drinkwater was not a council employee.

Mrs Drinkwater said: "I have been advised by my solicitor not to make any comment while the investigation is on-going."

The 2007 annual report for the women's centre says: "The organisation experienced some financial difficulties during the absence of a centre manager, but the current manager, management committee, treasurer, and book-keeper are satisfied with recent financial accounts which show significant recovery."

There is a LOT of dirt getting covered up in these "womens organisations"
which are merely fronts for lesbian terrorists.

The truth will come out. Then they will be brought before tribunals

The poor woman had to go to all that trouble inventing false invoices. Its the damned patriarchy again, oppressing women by demanding proper accounting procedures (Male domination) and accountability. The bloody Council just doesn't have enough women on its staff to swing the ethos to feminist accounting practices and ensure that the grant money just goes stright to her or her hairdresser. But that can be fixed with a small adjustment to the Equal Employment Opportunity rules.

As it is the dreadful treatment of this proud, independant woman means she will have to go on the dole.