Jeremy Gauntlett Resigns from Anglican Church Inquiry Panel Amid Child Abuse Allegations
- Amid a claim of historic abuse of a minor, Advocate Jeremy Gauntlett SC KC has stepped down from an Anglican Church inquiry into the activities of serial child abuser John Smyth.
- Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said Gauntlett himself proposed that he step down, “conveying a concern that the work of the Smyth inquiry not be in any way delayed or obstructed by the issue”.
- His alleged victim, Dr Hylton White, said he was “pleased” by the resignation.
The Anglican Church’s inquiry panel looking into claims against John Smyth, a well-known serial child abuser, has seen the resignation of advocate Jeremy Gauntlett. On January 17, 2025, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba accepted his resignation after a letter outlining Gauntlett’s own sexual misconduct allegations was made public.
The purpose of the inquiry panel was to look into the past abuse cases involving Smyth, who was previously connected to multiple child abuse cases in the church community. Given Gauntlett’s well-known status as one of South Africa’s most influential lawyers, his removal from the panel has sparked serious questions regarding the integrity of the investigation process.
This situation underscores ongoing issues within the Anglican Church regarding accountability and the handling of abuse allegations, as well as the broader implications for survivors seeking justice