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Former FOX News presenter sues Chairman for sexual harassment

Gretchen Carlson alleges FOX News Chairman Roger Ailes asked her for a sexual relationship during a meeting in his office.

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Former FOX News anchor Gretchen Carlson, who left the US network last month, is suing Chairman Roger Ailes, 76, for sexual harassment.

Carlson alleges Ailes explicitly asked her for a sexual relationship during a meeting in his office, accusing him of ogling her in his office, calling her “sexy,” and described a boys’ club environment at the network.

She claims her salary and on-air appearances were later reduced, before her contract was not renewed.

In a statement Ailes said, “Gretchen Carlson’s allegations are false.

“This is a retaliatory suit for the network’s decision not to renew her contract,” which he attributed to ratings he called ‘disappointingly low.’

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

But the timing for Ailes is not ideal. While he retains the support of Rupert Murdoch, he has sometimes clashed with Murdoch’s sons, James and Lachlan, according to NY Times. CNN has also been closing what was long an enormous gap in ratings between the networks.

21st Century FOX said it had “full confidence’’ in Ailes, but that “we take these matters seriously.”