Archbishop Desmond Tutu has become the latest high-profile supporter of Oxfam to distance himself from the charity.

He resigned yesterday as an ambassador for the aid agency saying he was 'deeply disappointed' about the charity's handling of a sex scandal.

He said he had decided to resign following the reports of 'immorality and possible criminality' at Oxfam.

The charity has been fire-fighting after revelations about the behaviour of some of its workers in disaster areas, who have been accused of using prostitutes and trading aid for sexual favours. It has been accused of attempting to cover up the stories.

Tutu, now largely retired from public life, was a prominent anti-apartheid campaigner and deeply respected church leader. His office said: 'Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu has supported Oxfam International's good work for many years, most recently as one of its global ambassadors.

'The archbishop is deeply disappointed by allegations of immorality and possible criminality involving humanitarian workers linked to the charity.

'He is also saddened by the impact of the allegations on the many thousands of good people who have supported Oxfam's righteous work.'

His resignation followed that of actor Minnie Driver earlier this week.

The man at the centre of the Oxfam scandal, Roland van Hauwermeiren, has denied some of the accusations against him.