Sky News, 2GB sack Chris Smith after Christmas party scandal

Sky News has joined 2GB in terminating the employment of Chris Smith following a Christmas party scandal and amid a chorus of condemnation over his alleged behaviour towards women.

Sky News Australia has sacked broadcaster Chris Smith effective immediately following an investigation into his conduct at an employee social event on the weekend.

“Following an investigation into allegations of serious misconduct, we have today advised Chris Smith that his contract with Sky News Australia has been terminated as a result of inappropriate behaviour that is in breach of his contract and company policy,” Sky News Australia CEO Paul Whittaker said.

“We continue to offer support to affected staff members whose welfare remains out primary concern.

“I am committed to ensuring a safe and healthy environment where everyone is treated fairly, and with dignity and respect at all times.”

Earlier today, 2GB terminated Smith following the Christmas party scandal.

Sky News Australia has terminated the employment of broadcaster Chris Smith effective immediately following an investigation into his conduct at an employee social event on the weekend.https://t.co/F5DQr0SJzz

— Sky News Australia (@SkyNewsAust) December 13, 2022

Chris Smith has been suspended from Sky News and 2GB.

Sky News host Andrew Bolt said Smith should focus on his recovery. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

The terminations follow the Sky News Christmas party at the weekend, where Smith conceded his behaviour towards women was unacceptable.

Nine’s managing director of radio, Tom Malone, issued a statement on Tuesday to announce the sacking.

“Chris’ behaviour represents a serious breach of his contract, and is not aligned with the values of 2GB,” Malone said.

Malone stated Nine had provided support to Smith in recent days, and would continue to offer that support as required.

Smith, 60, on Monday said he had checked himself into a mental health facility and apologised to the female colleagues left in tears by his behaviour at the weekend.

He was suspended from his Sky News Australia show and from Nine’s 2GB where he was due to fill in on Ben Fordham’s breakfast show after allegedly behaving inappropriately towards colleagues after the Christmas party on Saturday.

‘NEVER ACCEPTABLE TO MONSTER YOUNG WOMEN’

The sacking follows Ray Hadley dialling in to 2GB on Tuesday to join a growing chorus condemning Smith over his alleged behaviour at a weekend Christmas party, declaring: “Young women should be protected … going to Christmas parties and monstered by drunken fools”.

“I have had my differences with Chris Smith over the years. I don’t wish him any ill,” Hadley said.

“It has never been acceptable to monster young women. It has never been acceptable to monster any women in the method that he has over the years. He was sacked in 2009 for his performance at a Christmas party, I don’t think he should ever return to our network, unfortunately he did.

‘His behaviour is disgraceful and has been for a long, long time’, Hadley said of Smith.

“I would be very surprised if he ever returned to anywhere ever again. And I would say the radio industry and the TV industry won’t be poorer for him leaving it, it will be much better for him leaving it.

“Young women should be protected, they shouldn’t be going to Christmas parties and monstered by drunken fools and that is what occurred in this particular instance and I have no sympathy for him. I have heard it all before, ‘I am bipolar, I drink too much, I am a monster when I drink’.

“We’ve heard that four or five times over the years and there are many other instances I know of that haven’t been reported that should have been reported and I am embarrassed to be a former colleague of his and I hope I never have to work with him ever again.

“In fact, I know I won’t work with him ever again so good riddance to bad rubbish. His behaviour is disgraceful and has been for a long, long time.

“I am sorry that he is suffering some sort of mental health problem but of course that is exacerbated by his use of alcohol and that has been an ongoing problem and he needs to get his life in order for the sake of his four children and himself and anyone else connected with him but I have no sympathy for him in any way, shape or form.

“My sympathy lies with the young women who have been monstered by him, not just this time but previously as well. He is a disgraceful person.”

Chris Smith with wife Susie Burrell who has reportedly moved out of their family home. Picture: Richard Dobson

Earlier this year Smith was criticised by Hadley who accused him of playing down the severity of a Covid outbreak on cruise ship, Coral Princess, that was docking in Sydney.

The feud led to Smith threatening to call in lawyers. He later backed down.

Meanwhile, one of Sky News’ highest-profile female presenters has also welcomed the abrupt suspension of Chris Smith from the TV channel after a staff Christmas party.

Respected journalist Laura Jayes shared colleague Andrew Bolt’s appraisal of the scandal.

“Good riddance,” the host of AM Agenda wrote on Instagram, sharing a link to the story detailing Bolt’s comments.

Sky News presenter Laura Jayes’ posts about the Chris Smith scandal.

Laura Jayes didn’t hold back in her social media post.

It is understood Jayes has rallied in support of the women involved. She is also believed to have voiced her disgust at Smith’s behaviour to management.

All the women have been contacted by management and offered support.

‘I HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH ALCOHOL’

Smith had been with colleagues at the Sky Christmas party at The Ivy Sunroom on Saturday afternoon and kicked on with them afterwards at The Establishment.

Multiple eyewitnesses allege he made a series of lewd comments to female colleagues before inappropriately touching more than one woman, leaving one in tears and forcing another to strike him.

Smith has no recollection of the events and blamed the lapse on bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction – the same explanation he gave for allegedly harassing four female colleagues at the 2GB Christmas party in 2009.

“I have a recurring problem with alcohol … it sends me manic,” Smith said.

“I am in a facility receiving professional help to deal conclusively with my abuse of alcohol and solve this once and for all, without qualification … it can and will be done.”

On air on Monday, Bolt said: “Chris, all the very best to you getting over what you say is your addiction and your bipolar condition, but your recovery must take place somewhere else … you chose to drink or did then and allegedly upset young women who work here. We’re all good people here at Sky, we have a culture of looking after each other. I say to Chris good luck but goodbye.”

Sky News Australia host Rita Panahi also addressed the incident on air on Monday.

“What he did on Saturday night, how he made a number of women feel, means that in my opinion he can never be on this network again,” Panahi said.

Sky News Australia’s Rita Panahi believes Smith should exit the network completely. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

2GB host Ray Hadley didn’t hold back in his assessment of the situation, slamming Smith and stating he will never work with him again.

Bolt also hit back at some of media coverage around aftermath of the Sky News Christmas party when the alleged behaviour occurred saying, “the photos were of workers here smiling and posing with friends, and that’s because the team here is the most collegiate and kind that I have ever worked with in 45 years in this business, and they do not deserve to have what Chris (allegedly) did somehow sully the reputation of us all”.

It comes after Smith broke his silence on Monday following the news of his suspension.

“I am beyond gutted and devastated to know I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,” Smith told The Daily Telegraph.

“I apologise profusely to the women I upset. That’s not the man I am at work, ever, as they will all attest. They have been so supportive to me and do not deserve such drunken treatment.”

SMITH STOOD DOWN

Sky had immediately suspended Smith after the incident on Saturday and had to scramble to change publicity material for next year’s line-up, where he was due to have his own 5pm show.

“I am also terribly upset about humiliating myself with people I respect and admire. I have been blessed to call them close colleagues,” Smith said.

When news of his immediate suspension from Sky and then 2GB came through, his wife – celebrity nutritionist Susie Burrell – is understood to have moved out of the family home with their twin boys. She did not respond to requests for comment.

“I pride myself on my professionalism and work ethic but I have dropped the ball and embarrassed many people including those I love most – my family. I am very sorry,” Smith said.

Smith has been due to stand-in for Ben Fordham on the 2GB breakfast slot on Monday morning but his suspension — and now sacking — mean John Stanley was hastily brought in to cover.

In 2009 Smith said he was drunk on champagne and red wine and “loaded on the wrong antidepressants” when he was accused of harassing four female colleagues at the 2GB staff Christmas party.

He was suspended and his then wife, Ali, left him with their two children. History now appears to have repeated itself just as Smith had rehabilitated his reputation and bought a new home in Sydney’s north based on the promise of his new shows.

He was also accused by former colleagues of fondling the breasts of a newspaper reporter at a boozy corporate event and exposing himself to staff at a farewell party while at Nine’s A Current Affair.

Friends who have spoken to Smith since the incident question whether he can stage another comeback.

“Chris is at rock bottom. I’ve never seen him this fragile,” one friend said.

“He’s desperate to apologise to the people involved.

“He’s just bought a house and is supporting four kids.”