The inability of English charity bosses to come to terms with Scottish devolution has been blamed for the internal power struggle within the MS Society that led JK Rowling to quit as its Scottish patron.

Charity insiders said that the MS Society was one of a several UK organisations unwilling to cede power to their Scottish branches in the wake of political change. The arrival of an SNP Government is thought to have created a climate in which the Scots have become more assertive about their need for more autonomy.

Rowling’s departure follows that of Mark Hazelwood, who was director for the MS Society Scotland. Mr Hazelwood, who left last December after nine years at the charity, was highly regarded and known to hold different views to the English management in some areas.

One of the issues was a “cash pooling” system, approved by the board of trustees in England, whereby all branches of the charity were expected to put money into one UK scheme run by Barclays Bank. Mr Hazelwood wanted Scotland to use a Scottish bank so as not to lose funds raised locally to a UK pot.

Adding to Scottish resentment at perceived English intransigence is the knowledge that multiple sclerosis is more prevalent in Scotland than it is in any other part of the world.

Rowling, the multi-millionaire author of the Harry Potter books, saw her mother die of MS and has supported the charity for nearly a decade. She said in a statement that conflict between the Scottish arm of the charity and management in London had resulted in a raft of resignations.

“I have now reluctantly decided that I cannot, in good conscience, continue to be the public face of a charity that is changing beyond recognition from the one with which I have been so proud to be associated.

“I also remain committed to financing future research into the treatment and causes of multiple sclerosis, and to campaigning for better care and treatment of people with MS in Scotland, which is the MS capital of the world. I have not taken the decision to quit my position lightly.

“Late last year I initiated and attended a mediation session, in the hope of sorting out long-standing and escalating conflict between the Scottish Council and management in London, driven by the imposition of changes by London.

“Unfortunately, this achieved very little. With mounting frustration and disappointment, I have witnessed resignations of immensely dedicated people within [MS Society Scotland] and the increasing demoralisation of staff whom I have come to know and admire over the ten years of our association.”

At present, the MS Society Scotland is a full part of the MS Society Great Britain and Northern Ireland but has a director in Scotland who sits on the society’s UK executive group. The Board of Trustees is UK-wide and elected by the members.

An insider from another leading Scottish charity said last night: “There are the same tensions in lots of organisations. Because we have a different parliament and different structures, Scottish-based organisations want to run their own show — and London often isn’t willing to let them do that.

“Policies decided by London often don’t suit Scotland and so there are tensions. It’s devolution which has caused the problem because Scottish-based organisations have realised they have to change while London doesn’t think they should.”

Devolution has allowed Scottish charities to make their own links with MSPs and have access to power in a way they have never had before. The natural step, in many cases, has been to seek more responsibility than they had before.

Another cause of tension is money. The economic downturn is making charities jealous of their income. In February the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals launched an unprecedented attack on the RSPCA, which does not operate in Scotland, claiming it was “stealing food from the mouths of Scotland's defenceless animals”.

The MS Society said in a statement: “JK Rowling has been a great patron for the MS Society Scotland for many years. We are sorry she is stepping down and thank her for her good work, and for her continued support for the MS research centre in Edinburgh.”

Times Recommends

• Times Christmas appeal: Letter from the Editor
• Conferences — what a waste of money
• Schools supremo learns a painful lesson