The partner of Australian actor and singer Craig McLachlan has launched a fierce defence of him, labelling the campaign that led to his professional downfall a destructive 'witch hunt'. Vanessa Scammell, an acclaimed conductor, spoke out in a new podcast, detailing the devastating fallout from sexual assault allegations against McLachlan, for which he was later found not guilty.
A 'Poster Boy' for Anger in the Me Too Era
In an episode of the podcast 'Not Guilty', Scammell described the period following the allegations as one of 'confusion, uncertainty and often misdirected fury'. She argued that at the height of the global Me Too movement, the Australian public was seeking a local figure to blame. McLachlan became, in her words, 'a poster boy for Australia, a poster boy for anger and outrage, for disappointment and hatred'.
Scammell claimed that in the 'brutal and unquestioning landscape' of that time, 'naming and shaming had become the norm'. She stated it became 'terrifyingly evident' that McLachlan would be the target, suggesting that if a suitable figure couldn't be found, 'one would be created'.
Acquitted But Still Blacklisted
The allegations against McLachlan first emerged in 2018, relating to his behaviour during productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Three female co-stars accused him of harassment, leading him to quit his leading role as Frank-N-Furter. He was subsequently charged with 13 counts of assault and indecent assault.
Following a four-week trial in December 2020, McLachlan was acquitted on all charges. Despite this legal vindication, the entertainment industry has largely continued to shun him, effectively maintaining an eight-year blacklist.
Ongoing Fallout and a Derailed Comeback
The lasting impact of the scandal was starkly demonstrated in September of this year. McLachlan was forced to withdraw from the 2026 tour of the play Cluedo, where he was set to make his major theatrical comeback. This decision followed a targeted social media campaign against his involvement.
In a video statement, McLachlan said the online bullying 'impacted those involved in the production' and extended to his partner, Vanessa Scammell, and their friends and family. He stated he could not let his participation cause 'good people' to be targeted by 'trolls and bullies'. Actor Rhys Muldoon subsequently took over his role.
Scammell expressed her frustration to news.com.au, asking, 'how long does a man who has been found not guilty have to wait?' She confirmed that she and McLachlan are trying to move forward but continue to struggle with the persistent fallout.
McLachlan has described suffering crippling anxiety from the ordeal, overcoming it with professional help and by performing low-key pub gigs with country singer Andy Penkow. While he appeared on SAS Australia in 2023, his once-prominent three-decade career in Australian entertainment remains in hiatus, a direct consequence of allegations the courts did not uphold.
