Naomi Campbell appeared in a London court on Tuesday, June 16, to give evidence in an appeal against a charity trustee ban [1].

The case centers on the legal standing of the British supermodel and founder of Fashion for Relief. A victory for Campbell would overturn a disqualification that prevents her from managing charitable funds in the UK.

The ban disqualifies Campbell from acting as a charity trustee for five years [2]. The Charity Commission imposed the restriction in 2024 after finding evidence of serious mismanagement of funds at Fashion for Relief [3]. Campbell launched her appeal against the decision in 2025 [4].

During the Charity Tribunal hearing, Campbell addressed the allegations of financial irregularity. She said that she was a victim of manipulation rather than a perpetrator of misconduct.

"I was deceived," Campbell said [5].

Campbell attributed the mismanagement to external actors and deceptive practices used to divert resources. She said that fake emails were used to misdirect funds [6].

While some reports suggest the deception involved a fellow trustee, Campbell also directed blame toward her legal representation. "I blame my lawyer for fraud and deception," Campbell said [7].

The proceedings aim to determine if the Charity Commission's original findings warrant the five-year ban, or if Campbell's testimony regarding fraud and deception provides sufficient grounds for the tribunal to lift the restriction [2].

“"I was deceived,"”

This legal challenge tests the accountability of high-profile celebrity founders in the UK charity sector. If the tribunal accepts Campbell's defense that she was deceived by professional advisors or peers, it may shift the focus of the Charity Commission from the founder's oversight to the liability of the supporting legal and administrative infrastructure.