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Fox pays former anchor $26 million over sexual harassment claims

Gretchen Carlson has won a $US20 million settlement with Fox.

Gretchen Carlson has won a $US20 million settlement with Fox. Photo: Getty

Fox News in the United States has reportedly paid US$20 million (A$26 million) in damages to a former anchor who alleges she was fired after refusing to have sex with former chief executive Roger Ailes.

Former anchor Gretchen Carlson filed a suit against Mr Ailes in July, alleging he took her off a popular show and cut her pay because she refused to have a sexual relationship with him.

Ailes always denied the allegations, but left Fox less than three weeks after the suit was filed, taking a US$40 million ($52 million) severance package.

More than 20 other women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment.

In a statement Ms Carlson said she was grateful Fox took swift action.

Fox News’ parent company 21st Century Fox offered a public apology to Ms Carlson, saying in a statement: “We sincerely regret and apologize for the fact that Gretchen was not treated with the respect and dignity that she and all of our colleagues deserve.”

Ailes reportedly advises Trump campaign, Murdoch

Ms Carlson, who won the Miss America beauty pageant in 1989, was a long-time co-host on the Fox and Friends morning program before getting her own show in 2013.

Former Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes. Photo: Getty.

Former Fox News chief executive Roger Ailes. Photo: Getty.

In a statement in July, Mr Ailes said Ms Carlson’s suit was in retaliation for the network’s decision not to renew her contract after disappointing ratings for her show.

Attorneys for Mr Ailes did not immediately return calls for comment on the settlement.

The 76-year-old has reportedly been advising the campaign of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump since leaving Fox News, and continues as an informal adviser to Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of 21st Century Fox.

He worked on the presidential campaigns of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and George Bush before becoming one of the most powerful forces in journalism and politics as the founder of the network.

Fox News host Andrea Tantaros has an ongoing suit against the company. Photo: Getty.

Fox News host Andrea Tantaros has an ongoing suit against Fox. Photo: Getty.

One lawsuit is ongoing, with a former host, Andrea Tantaros filing a suit against Ailes and Fox in August, in which she alleges she was demoted when she complained about Ailes’ advances.

“Fox News masquerades as a defender of traditional family values, but behind the scenes, it operates like a sex-fuelled, Playboy Mansion-like cult, steeped in intimidation, indecency and misogyny,” Tantaros claimed in the lawsuit, The New York Times reported.

Fox fired back by calling Tantaros an “opportunist” and “not a victim”.

Another former Fox News host, Laurie Dhue, said she is writing a book featuring details of her time working for Ailes.

– ABC with CNN

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