Marco Rubio fires chief of staff after allegations of ‘improper conduct’

Senator 'immediately' begins investigation after hearing claims, he says

Florida Senator Marco Rubio (AP)

Republican Senator Marco Rubio has fired his chief of staff, Clint Reed, after finding he “violated office policies regarding proper relations between a supervisor and their subordinates”.

A statement released overnight on Saturday said he was made aware for the first time of allegations of “improper conduct” on Friday.

He “immediately” began an investigation into the matter, he said, and by early afternoon on Saturday decided he had “sufficient evidence” to conclude Mr Reed acted improperly.

On Saturday afternoon, he travelled from Florida to Washington DC and terminated his employment, effective immediately, he said.

“We have taken steps to ensure that those impacted by this conduct have access of any services they may require now or in the future,” he added.

The Florida Senator’s office would provide no further details about the incidents that led to Mr Reed’s firing “pursuant to the wishes of those victimised by this conduct”, he added.

The statement did not name Mr Reed, but he is listed as Mr Rubio’s chief of staff in the Washington Information Directory. On Sunday morning, his Twitter account also said he held the position .

Mr Rubio rose to prominence during his successful tea party-backed Senate bid in 2010. He ran to become the Republican Presidential-nominee in the 2016 election, but stood down his campaign weeks before Donald Trump became the GOP's presumptive nominee.

Mr Reed managed the Senator’s presidential primary campaigns in Iowa and Florida. After Mr Rubio’s hopes of becoming US President were dashed, he took control of Mr Rubio’s successful re-election campaign for the Senate. He became Mr Rubio’s chief of staff later that year.

Mr Reed formerly held a number of positions in the Republican party, and has worked as regional political director for the Republican National Committee. Contact information for Mr Reed was not available

Mr Rubio’s deputy chief of staff Jessica Fernandez will replace Mr Reed as interim chief of staff, Politico reported.