Fox News presenter sues network over ‘sexual harassment’ by co-host

Fox News a 'sanctuary for sexual harassers', claims lawsuit brought by 'Un-PC' host Britt McHenry

Britt McHenry, co-host of Fox Nation programme 'Un-PC' (Fox Nation)

Britt McHenry, a presenter at Fox News, is suing the network over alleged sexual harassment by her former co-host George "Tyrus" Murdoch.

The lawsuit alleges a failure by the network to deal with her complaints about Murdoch, calling the broadcaster a “sanctuary for sexual harassers”.

McHenry and Murdoch co-hosted the Fox Nation show ‘Un-PC’ from December 2018 to Feburary 2019.

She claims Murdoch sexually harassed her during this period by making “sexually inappropriate comments to her in person, and also via text message”.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Fox News investigated complaints by McHenry about the alleged harassment when she first made them in June and gave her a new co-host on "Un-PC".

No disciplinary action was taken against Murdoch, however, and he was given his own interview program which regularly requires him to work outside Fox News studios.

Murdoch denies all allegations and plans to pursue defamation counterclaims, his lawyer Tom Clare told USA Today.

McHenry also alleges Fox News took retaliatory action against her after she complained by “refusing to investigate some of her claims, shunning her, shutting her out of company events, and refusing to allow her on Fox News Channel Shows”.

The lawsuit said: “Fox News publicly says it now has ‘zero tolerance’ for sexual harassment. This is a dangerous lie.

“In practice, Fox News remains a sanctuary for sexual harassers, coddling and enabling men who abuse female employees.”

A Fox News representative said: “As we have previously stated, Ms McHenry’s allegations have been fully investigated and we are confident our actions will be deemed entirely appropriate in litigation.

“We expect all of her claims to be dismissed.”

McHenry’s lawyer, Lisa Bloom, told USA Today: “Britt McHenry’s bombshell story should not be happening at Fox News in 2019. I am proud to represent her as she demands justice.”

Fox News has grappled with major sexual harassment scandals in recent years. In 2016, former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a lawsuit against Roger Ailes, the network’s founding chief executive.

Ailes was also accused of harassing Megyn Kelly, one of the network’s most popular presenters. He resigned following the allegations and died the year after.

Bill O’Reilly, another of the network’s most popular presenters, was fired in 2017 following multiple harassment allegations.