Desmond Tutu quits as Oxfam ambassador over aid agency's sex scandal

South African Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu stepped down as an ambassador for Oxfam on Thursday, citing disappointment at the British aid agency’s embroilment in a sex scandal involving staff in Haiti after a massive 2010 earthquake.

The 86-year-old Nobel Peace laureate pulled out of public life in 2010 due to his advancing years but had continued to represent Oxfam even in retirement.

“The Archbishop is deeply disappointed by allegations of immorality and possible criminality involving humanitarian workers linked to the charity,” a statement from his office said.

Tutu was also saddened that the allegations would tarnish the good work achieved by many thousands of people working for Oxfam, it added.

The Times newspaper reported on Friday that some Oxfam staff paid for sex with prostitutes in Haiti after the country’s 2010 earthquake.

Oxfam’s executive director, Winnie Byanyima, in an interview with the BBC said a commission to investigate past and present allegations of exploitation by staff has been set up.

‘‘Well, first, I want to say sorry. I know we have a problem. Women’s rights are at the heart of the work we do, that is why we cannot tolerate the abuse of women,’‘ Byanyima said.

The charity which has almost 10,000 staff working in more than 90 countries across the globe, is under threat of losing its British government funding over sexual misconduct accusations in Haiti and Chad.

Senior staff have already left the charity. The former Haiti country director at the heart of the scandal denied on Thursday that he had paid for sex with prostitutes or abused minors.