Sky News host Chris Smith has been suspended following alleged “inappropriate conduct” towards female colleagues.
The 60-year-old broadcaster was set to present his Sunday 2GB radio show but it has been pulled while both Sky News Australia and 2GB investigate the allegations.
He was also set to fill in for Ben Fordham’s 2GB breakfast show on Monday morning, but he is expected not to do so.
Smith joined his Sky News colleagues at their Christmas party at the Ivy Sunroom in Sydney around midday on Saturday and the bash continued into the evening after the official event wrapped up in the afternoon.
(Image: twitter.com/chrissmithonair)
They celebrated at a local bar, The Establishment, where Smith is accused of touching a young female colleague.
It is also alleged that he made lewd comments and acted inappropriately towards other female colleagues while at the event.
The Australian Daily Telegraph has reported that the host was accused of leaving one female colleague in tears while another is said to have struck him over his alleged behaviour.
(Image: twitter.com/chrissmithonair)
Shortly after the accusations were made 2GB confirmed he would not be appearing on air while Sky investigate.
They said: “2GB has been made aware of serious allegations against Chris Smith, arising from the Sky News Christmas party.
“Sky has advised they are conducting an investigation. Chris has been stood down from his duties at 2GB until the investigation has concluded.”
A spokesperson for Sky News Australia told Daily Mail Australia that the “person involved has been suspended while an investigation into the allegations is undertaken”.
(Image: twitter.com/chrissmithonair)
They added in the statement: “The welfare of our staff is our absolute priority. We have a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate conduct and take these allegations very seriously.”
Chris usually appears on the 2GB radio show every weekend from 9am to 1pm as part of The Chris Smith show.
He often appears on Sky News from 6pm AEDT on Sundays, but he will not be appearing on either until the investigation has been completed.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
