Sky News host Chris Smith will not appear on air on Sunday evening and has been suspended from the station and its radio network 2GB indefinitely, pending an investigation into allegations of misbehavior after a Christmas party over the weekend.
Smith was immediately fired on Saturday for allegedly making lewd comments and other inappropriate behavior at an after-party event at The Establishment in Sydney, according to multiple media sources who spoke on condition of anonymity to speak freely. Smith, who is also a radio presenter on 2GB, will not replace breakfast presenter Ben Fordham (who is on leave) from Monday.
Chris Smith on Sky News.
Media sources said concerns about the behaviour, which allegedly involved touching a young female colleague, as well as a series of inappropriate comments, were raised with senior members of the Sky News executive team. Concerns were addressed immediately.
Smith attended the Sky News Christmas party at the Ivy Sunroom, before heading to the establishment with other colleagues. He was seen leaving the city around 7:30 p.m.
“The individual involved has been suspended pending an investigation into the allegations,” a Sky News Australia spokesperson said. “The well-being of our staff is our absolute priority. We have a zero-tolerance approach to inappropriate behavior and take these allegations very seriously.”
Smith, who is also a radio presenter on 2GB Weekends, hosts Sky News Tonight’s Chris Smith on Sundays at 6pm and was expected to become the host of a 5pm weekday show from 2023. He was among the crowd that attended Lachlan Murdoch’s Christmas party. on Thursday evening.
A 2GB spokesman said Smith would not appear on air.
“2GB has been informed of serious allegations against Chris Smith, arising from the Sky News Christmas party. Sky has advised that they are conducting an investigation. Chris has been stood down from his duties at 2GB pending the investigation concluded,” the spokesperson said.
Smith has misbehaved at a Christmas party on a previous occasion.