Sandra Horley is accused of using charity resources to publish a book for her own financial gain

The head of a leading domestic abuse charity that receives millions of pounds in government contracts has been accused of mismanaging funds and fostering a bullying atmosphere.

Sandra Horley, the chief executive of Refuge, is one of the country’s highest-paid charity bosses, with a total remuneration package of more than £210,000.

Whistleblowers accused Ms Horley of using charity resources to publish a book for her own financial gain and of hiring family members for sensitive roles. Senior management routinely bullied staff, it has been alleged. The claims were laid out in a letter sent to the charity trustees at the end of 2017 signed by 13 staff members. It has since been passed to The Times over concerns of inaction.

“For a charity that empowers