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Jian Ghomeshi, host of CBC's 'Q', says he was fired over allegations of sexual misconduct
Radio broadcaster Jian Ghomeshi attends "The Voices" TIFF party hosted by GREY GOOSE Vodka and Remstar Films on September 11, 2014 at Weslodge in Toronto, Canada.
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Sonia Recchia/Getty Images for GREY GOOSE Vodka
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Jian Ghomeshi, the co-creator and host of the popular arts and culture show "Q" will step down, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation announced Sunday. The program airs weekdays at 10 p.m. here on KPCC.
In a statement, the CBC said the network made the break after "serious deliberation and careful consideration." A network spokesman said he could not discuss the circumstances of Ghomeshi's departure.
"Information came to our attention recently that in CBC's judgment precludes us from continuing our relationship with Jian," spokesman Chuck Thompson told CBC News.
But on his Facebook page, Ghomeshi lashed out at the company, saying he was fired over false accusations made by an ex-lover.
"I’ve been fired from the CBC because of the risk of my private sex life being made public as a result of a campaign of false allegations pursued by a jilted ex girlfriend and a freelance writer," he wrote, adding that the former girlfriend had begun reaching out to friends and colleagues alleging that their relationship had been abusive.
It came to light that a woman had begun anonymously reaching out to people that I had dated (via Facebook) to tell them she had been a victim of abusive relations with me. In other words, someone was reframing what had been an ongoing consensual relationship as something nefarious.
But then they said that this type of sexual behavior was unbecoming of a prominent host on the CBC. They said that I was being dismissed for "the risk of the perception that may come from a story that could come out."
Dentons Canada LLP, a law firm in Toronto, released a statement saying that Ghomeshi has instructed them to file a $50-million lawsuit against the CBC on Monday that "will claim general and punitive damages for among other things, breach of confidence and bad faith."
It added that he will also "commence a grievance for reinstatement under the CBC’s collective agreement."
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Q's Executive Producer Arif Noorani told KPCC the program will continue to air the show with guest hosts until they can find a permanent solution.
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