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The go-to barrister for morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse John Smyth: the go-to barrister for Mary Whitehouse
(35 minutes later)
At the height of his legal career, John Smyth QC was the go-to barrister for morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse.At the height of his legal career, John Smyth QC was the go-to barrister for morality campaigner Mary Whitehouse.
When Whitehouse took a private prosecution against Gay News and its editor in the 1970s, it was Smyth – whom she described as an evangelical Christian – who won the case for her. Whitehouse objected to a poem in the newspaper about a homosexual centurion’s love for Christ, and the newspaper and its editor were found guilty of blasphemous libel. When Whitehouse took a private prosecution against Gay News and its editor in the 1970s, it was Smyth – whom she described as an evangelical Christian – who won the case for her. Whitehouse objected to a poem in the newspaper about a centurion’s love for Christ, and the newspaper and its editor were found guilty of blasphemous libel.
Smyth told the court: “It may be said that this is a love poem – it is not, it is a poem about buggery.”Smyth told the court: “It may be said that this is a love poem – it is not, it is a poem about buggery.”
He also initially acted for Whitehouse in her notorious prosecution against the National Theatre production of Howard Brenton’s play The Romans in Britain, which simulated a homosexual rape on stage. He also initially acted for Whitehouse in her failed prosecution against the National Theatre production of Howard Brenton’s play The Romans in Britain, which simulated a male rape on stage.
Outside his legal career, Smyth, who became a part-time judge, chaired the Iwerne Trust, a charity which oversaw Christian summer camps attended by pupils from public schools including Winchester College. There he was accused of sadomasochistic physical abuse, including beatings that drew blood as punishment for masturbation. Outside his legal career, Smyth, who became a part-time judge, chaired the Iwerne Trust, a charity that oversaw Christian summer camps attended by pupils from public schools including Winchester College. There he was accused of sadomasochistic physical abuse, including beatings that drew blood as punishment for masturbation.
When Smyth’s alleged offending came to light in 1982, no one told the police.When Smyth’s alleged offending came to light in 1982, no one told the police.
Instead, the evangelical lawyer, who has been outspoken in his condemnation of homosexuals throughout his career, was warned never to set foot in Winchester College again. According to Bar Council records, Smyth continued to be a part-time recorder and member of the bar until he moved to Zimbabwe two years later, where in 1984 he set up his own teenage camp for young boys, the Zambezi Ministries. Between 1986 and 2002, hundreds of boys passed through the camps. Instead, the evangelical lawyer, who has been outspoken in his condemnation of gay people throughout his career, was warned never to set foot in Winchester College again. According to Bar Council records, Smyth continued to be a part-time recorder and member of the bar until he moved to Zimbabwe two years later, where in 1986 he set up his own teenage camp for young boys, Zambesi Ministries. Between 1986 and 2002, hundreds of boys passed through the camps.
Smyth is now based in Cape Town, South Africa, where he runs the Justice Alliance, whose website has recently been taken down. In 2005 he was one of an outspoken group who opposed gay marriage equality in South Africa.Smyth is now based in Cape Town, South Africa, where he runs the Justice Alliance, whose website has recently been taken down. In 2005 he was one of an outspoken group who opposed gay marriage equality in South Africa.
Smyth has nine grandchildren and lists his hobbies as skiing, mountain walking and squash.Smyth has nine grandchildren and lists his hobbies as skiing, mountain walking and squash.
He did not respond to requests for a comment on Thursday.He did not respond to requests for a comment on Thursday.