Murdered teenager 'used as political pawn' by Kids Company bosses

The mother of a murdered teenager whose death was linked to the closure of Kids Company has accused its bosses of using him as a 'political pawn'.

Amanda Elie's son, Jerrell, was attacked in the street in Camberwell three days after the children's charity closed.

Yesterday Kids Company's Chair of Trustees Alan Yentob told MPs that his death could have been avoided if the charity was still open.

But Amanda Elie told ITV News that was totally untrue.

Before it was forced to close amid accusations of financial mismanagement Kids Company said there would be violence on the streets without it.

Jerrell was found with a fatal head injury. A man has been charged with his murder. But what angered his family most was that Alan Yentob had shown no interest in his death until yesterday.

Jerrell was an A-Level student, looking forward to going to college.

Jerrell's funeral only took place on Wednesday which his mother says made everything more painful.

In a statement to ITV News Alan Yentob said: