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| Bill O'Reilly fired from Fox News, company confirms | Bill O'Reilly fired from Fox News, company confirms |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Fox News has confirmed that it is letting go of Bill O’Reilly, its highly profitable but controversial anchor, amid accusations of sexual harassment. | Fox News has confirmed that it is letting go of Bill O’Reilly, its highly profitable but controversial anchor, amid accusations of sexual harassment. |
| In an email to staff, the company’s parent company, 21st Century Fox, said the 67-year-old was leaving following a review of accusations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour levelled against him. | |
| “After a thorough review of the allegations against him, the company and Bill O’Reilly have agreed that Mr O’Reilly will not return to the Fox News Channel,” it said. | |
| The decision by the company came as Mr O’Reilly was on holiday in Italy where he shook hands with the Pope. It was also taken a day before the board of 21st Century Fox was to meet to discuss the anchor’s future. | |
| Earlier on Wednesday, Gabriel Sherman, author of a biography of former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, had reported that a decision has been made to let go of Mr O’Reilly. | Earlier on Wednesday, Gabriel Sherman, author of a biography of former Fox News CEO Roger Ailes, had reported that a decision has been made to let go of Mr O’Reilly. |
| Rupert Murdoch reported wanted to stand by its star, but his sons, Lachlan and James, have decided it is time for him to go, he said. | Rupert Murdoch reported wanted to stand by its star, but his sons, Lachlan and James, have decided it is time for him to go, he said. |
| “The Murdochs have decided Bill O’Reilly’s 21-year run at Fox News will come to an end,” Mr Sherman wrote on the website of New York magazine. | |
| “According to sources briefed on the discussions, network executives are preparing to announce O’Reilly’s departure before he returns from an Italian vacation on April 24.” | “According to sources briefed on the discussions, network executives are preparing to announce O’Reilly’s departure before he returns from an Italian vacation on April 24.” |
| The decision to get rid of Mr O’Reilly followed a report earlier this month in the New York Times that said the channel had been obliged to pay out $17m to settle claims against the anchor from five women. Mr O’Reilly has continued to deny the accusations. | The decision to get rid of Mr O’Reilly followed a report earlier this month in the New York Times that said the channel had been obliged to pay out $17m to settle claims against the anchor from five women. Mr O’Reilly has continued to deny the accusations. |
| The move also comes despite vocal support from President Donald Trump who said there was no need for Mr O’Reilly to stand down. | The move also comes despite vocal support from President Donald Trump who said there was no need for Mr O’Reilly to stand down. |
| “I think he shouldn't have settled; personally I think he shouldn’t have settled,” Mr Trump said after the accusations emerged. | “I think he shouldn't have settled; personally I think he shouldn’t have settled,” Mr Trump said after the accusations emerged. |
| “Because you should have taken it all the way. I don’t think Bill did anything wrong. I think he's a person I know well - he is a good person.” | “Because you should have taken it all the way. I don’t think Bill did anything wrong. I think he's a person I know well - he is a good person.” |
| On Tuesday, Mr O’Reilly’s lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, said his client was being attacked by left wing organisations. | On Tuesday, Mr O’Reilly’s lawyer, Marc Kasowitz, said his client was being attacked by left wing organisations. |
| “Bill O’Reilly has been subjected to a brutal campaign of character assassination that is unprecedented in post-McCarthyist America. This law firm has uncovered evidence that the smear campaign is being orchestrated by far-left organisations bent on destroying O’Reilly for political and financial reasons,” he said in a statement. “That evidence will be put forth shortly, and it is irrefutable.” | “Bill O’Reilly has been subjected to a brutal campaign of character assassination that is unprecedented in post-McCarthyist America. This law firm has uncovered evidence that the smear campaign is being orchestrated by far-left organisations bent on destroying O’Reilly for political and financial reasons,” he said in a statement. “That evidence will be put forth shortly, and it is irrefutable.” |