Shocked US Today show host announces colleague Matt Lauer's sacking over sexual misconduct claims
The shocked co-host of an American breakfast TV show has announced her well-known colleague, Matt Lauer, has been sacked over claims of inappropriate sexual behaviour.
Told of the news just moments before going to air, a clearly shaken Savannah Guthrie announced Lauer's termination at the beginning of the Today program on Wednesday, a show they hosted together for the past five years.
NBC said on Wednesday it fired the prominent news anchor after 20 years with the network for what it described as inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
"This is a sad morning here at 'Today' and at NBC News," Guthrie said.
Savannah Guthrie announced Lauer's termination at the beginning of the Today program on Wednsday. Source: NBC
NBC said Wednesday it fired the prominent news anchor after 20 years with the network for what it described as inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace.
"As I'm sure you can imagine, we are devastated, and we are still processing all of this and I will tell you right now we do not know more than what I just shared with you," she said.
"For the moment all we can say is we are heartbroken. I'm heartbroken for Matt, he is my dear, dear friend and my partner and he is beloved by many, many people here.
"And I'm heartbroken for the brave colleague who came forward to tell her story and any other women who have their own stories to tell.
Lauer, 59, is one of the best known faces on America's popular early morning news shows and earned a whopping $25 million per year.
His former co-host said she and everyone at NBC are now "grappling with the dilemma that so many people have faced these past few weeks".
Lauer, 59, is one of the best known faces on America's popular early morning news shows and earned a whopping $25 million per year. Source: Getty
Guthrie said she she learnt about her co-host's termination moments before going to air. Source: Getty
"How do you reconcile your love for someone with the revelation that they have behaved badly, and I don't know the answer to that," Guthrie added.
"But I do know that this reckoning that so many organisations have been going through is important, it's long overdue and it must result in workplaces where all women, all people, feel safe and respected.
"As painful as it is, this moment in our culture and this change had to happen."
NBC chairman Andrew Lack said it this was the first complaint against Lauer but the network was provided with evidence suggesting it may have not been an isolated incident.
