Police have been called in to investigate a major row over thousands of pounds raised for charity at an event in the Highland capital.
The Press and Journal can reveal the force is making inquiries into a dispute over cash due to the Inverness Women’s Aid.
A complaint was made to police because the charity – which helps domestic abuse victims – says it has still not received any of the money raised at a Tipsy Tea Party in the summer.
About 1,300 people attended the event at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness on July 17, with the £22-a-ticket event having to be expanded because of huge interest.
A raffle was also held, with tickets costing £2 a ticket and prizes featuring a long weekend to New York, a large TV, and a Blu-ray DVD player.
But it is understood that the money raised has never been handed over to Inverness Women’s Aid.
It is believed it follows a behind-the-scenes dispute between the charity and the event’s organisers, city-based Posh Stuff Events, which claims it has not yet been paid its fee.
Last night, a police spokeswoman confirmed a complaint had been made.
A spokeswoman said: “Inquiries are at a very early stage to establish any criminality.”
Inverness Women’s Aid declined to comment.
It is understood the matter is being considered by the charity’s lawyers, following a breakdown in communication between the two groups.
Debbie Morren, who runs Posh Stuff Events, insisted last night that she was not aware of the issue and had not been interviewed by the police.
She said: “I’ve not seen any police. Nobody has come to see me. Nobody has come to see me about anything.
“I don’t know what is wrong. I haven’t been paid yet.
“They (Inverness Women’s Aid) contacted me to do the event and it was very successful.”
She added: “My business does events for charities. Weeks before the Tipsy Tea Party I raised thousands of pounds for Marie Curie. I’ve been doing these things for many years now and I’ve never had a problem.
“The chairman of Women’s Aid came to me and asked if I would help them out.”
Asked how her relations were now with Inverness Women’s Aid, she said: “No comment”.
Ms Morren added: “If I’ve done something wrong, I don’t know about it.
“That charity needs money, it very much needs money.”
The Tipsy Tea Party was initially said to have raised about £30,000 for Inverness Women’s Aid, but it was later reported that the final total could be far lower because of costs.
It is understood that questions have been raised over the top prize in the raffle – a long weekend in New York – and whether it was donated or paid for.
Originally proposed as an event for 200 people to be held at the city’s Bught Park on the same day as the Highland Games and Inverness Gala, the party was later moved to the Northern Meeting Park after thousands of people expressed an interest on social media.
It was billed as an “afternoon of cocktails, cake, entertainment and posh frocks”.
There were three sittings of the “afternoon tea”, with entertainment on between 11am and 9pm, and more than 50 vendors setting up in the “Tipsy Village”.
