Gretchen Carlson lawsuit: Fox chairman Roger Ailes says sexual harassment lawsuit is 'convenient'

The Fox News chairman and CEO said he will ‘vigorously defend’ his reputation

The married 76-year-old has denied all the allegations made against him (Getty)

The chairman and CEO of Fox News has denied accusations of sexual harassment by one of the network’s former most popular show hosts.

Roger Ailes, 76, said Gretchen Carlson’s allegations, including the culture of sexism at Fox and that Mr Ailes “ogled” her and suggested they engage in a sexual relationship, are “false”.

“This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract, which was due to the fact that her disappointingly low ratings were dragging down the afternoon lineup,” he said in a statement to The Independent.

“When Fox News did not commence any negotiations to renew her contract, Ms Carlson became aware that her career with the network was likely over and conveniently began to pursue a lawsuit.”

Ms Carlson worked for 11 years at the network, first on a prime time slot alongside Steve Doocy, before being downgraded to an early afternoon slot in 2013.

The plaintiff claims her ratings were “solid and consistent" and had nothing to do with her being fired on 23 June this year.

“In fact, Carlson’s show consistently ranked number one among cable news programs in her time slot […] This success shows that there was no legitimate business reason for terminating Ms Carlson," the lawsuit reads.

Mr Ailes continued in his statement: “Ironically, FOX News provided her with more on-air opportunities over her 11 year tenure than any other employer in the industry, for which she thanked me in her recent book.

“This defamatory lawsuit is not only offensive, it is wholly without merit and will be defended vigorously.”

In Ms Carlson’s 2015 memoir, “Getting Real”, she wrote: “Special thanks to Fox News CEO and chairman of the board Roger Ailes for continuing to believe in me and giving me the opportunity to do what I love every day […].”

She alleged in the lawsuit, however, that she had been ostracized and marginalized at work for years.

She claimed that Mr Ailes told her she was “sexy” but “too much hard work”, and would boast about other former Miss America winners he had slept with.

Ms Carlson, a Stanford graduate, won the competition in 1989.