Channel Nine news executive David Richardson sacked after alleged incident at work Christmas party

A Nine boss has been sacked after an alleged incident at a work Christmas party, marking the latest high-profile departure amid the network’s culture crisis.

Channel 9 has dismissed a senior news executive after allegations of inappropriate remarks at a work Christmas Party last week.

News.com.au understands David Richardson, executive producer of the network’s newsroom in Darwin, was told he was being let go on Monday, just hours after the company received a formal complaint.

The complaint relates to remarks allegedly made at a party on Friday evening, it’s understood.

Nine has been contacted for comment. News.com.au has also approached Richardson for a response.

A source told news.com.au that Richardson was escorted from the Mitchell Street office after the news was delivered.

Channel Nine executive David Richardson has been let go for alleged inappropriate conduct at the work Christmas party.

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Richardson, known broadly in the industry as “Sluggo”, climbed through the ranks of commercial television as a reporter before moving behind the scenes.

His last role was as a producer on Nine’s Under Investigation with Liz Hayes before the show was axed in August.

He had been in the executive role in Darwin for just two months.

Just last month, not long after he was appointed to the senior role in the Top End, Richardson took to LinkedIn to reflect on his good fortunes.

“I am so humbled and thankful to my cadre of friends, colleagues and associates over decades for their well wishes on my new position,” he wrote.

“I thank everyone who has reached out in the past couple of days. If a man values his wealth by friends and good colleagues I am a millionaire!”

He also shared the advice of a former boss, the late TV stalwart Bernie Keenan, to “look after people on your way up so they can look after you on your way down”.

“He was a hard, tough but fair man who rewarded hard work not talk, and his words have framed my working life for 40 years,” Richardson said.

“That has led to countless wonderful working relationships I will cherish forever. You all know who you are. We talk always. We never lose contact. A great gift in a world of contactless SMS and emails!”

Richardson was interviewed by industry site MediaNet in late November about his new role, which he described as “all-consuming but incredibly fulfilling”.

He also reflected on his long career, saying he felt “blessed” to be “afforded the opportunities I have enjoyed”.

“The huge events are too numerous to list here, the incredible people and places never out of my memories. Dozens and dozens of countries, experiencing cultures I never thought I would as a kid watching 60 minutes or Willesee or ACA and dreaming of that life.

“But memorable experiences: 9/11, the Iraq War, Interfet in East Timor, gaining the last TV interview with Apollo 17 skipper Gene Cernan before his death. The list is endless.”

David Richardson worked as a news reporter, including at Channel 7's Today Tonight, before moving behind the scenes.

David Richardson worked at Channel 7's Today Tonight.

The network’s news division has been hammered by a series of high-profile and sudden departures in recent times.

In March, industry veteran Darren Wick left Nine as its director of news and current affairs following an extended absence and fierce speculation.

It then emerged Wick had been accused of inappropriate conduct.

Wick has yet to comment publicly about the allegations or the circumstances of his departure from Nine.

Channel Nine executive David Richardson has been let go for alleged inappropriate conduct at the work Christmas party.

On November 7, Amanda Paterson, director of news for Nine’s Brisbane, Gold Coast and Darwin operations, was fired over three alleged incidents.

Paterson is now suing the network claiming unfair dismissal.

The movements came in the wake of a damning review of the company’s workplace culture.

An external investigation released in October found Nine had a “systemic issue” with bullying, discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, and the abuse of power and authority.

Of those surveyed across the broadcast division, more than half reported experiencing some form of discrimination, harassment or bullying in the previous five-year period.

And 30 per cent of respondents said they had experienced sexual harassment.

The findings were based on 934 survey responses and 122 sit-down interviews and written submissions.

Nine News chief Darren Wick left the network earlier this year. Source: Supplied

Following the release of the report, Nine’s interim chief executive Matt Stanton has vowed change is coming to Nine and those who don’t live up to new standards will be “held to account”.

“Since the release of the report, we can appreciate the strong desire to understand accountability for inappropriate behaviour that has occurred in our workplace,” Mr Stanton said in a staff memo.

“There will be change at Nine and individuals will be held to account for behaviour of this nature.

“There is no place at Nine for the abuse of power, bullying, sexual harassment or inappropriate conduct outlined in the Intersection report or for people who behave that way.”

Mr Stanton has previously indicated “multiple” active investigations are underway.

The culture review was instigated by former CEO Mike Sneesby, who himself left Nine in September after months of mounting pressure over his handling of multiple crises.

And in June, Nine’s Chairman Peter Costello – former federal treasurer in the John Howard era – resigned just days after a physical altercation with a journalist at Canberra Airport.

Costello denied the bizarre encounter, which was filmed, was assault.

Mike Sneesby faced months of mounting pressure over his performance before quitting as CEO.

Peter Costello quit as Nine’s chairman after a bizarre interaction with a journalist at Canberra Airport. Picture: Sky News

In October, prominent workplace lawyer Josh Bornstein told news.com.au that a class-action lawsuit could be brought against Nine.

“If the report is right, it’s systemic, which means many women have been impacted, and they’ve been subjected to an environment that’s hostile to them because of their gender, and if they’ve been harmed by that, a class action could give them some form of redress,” Mr Bornstein said.

The culture review was instigated by former CEO Mike Sneesby, who himself left Nine in September after months of mounting pressure over his handling of multiple crises.

And in June, Nine’s Chairman Peter Costello – former federal treasurer in the John Howard era – resigned just days after a physical altercation with a journalist at Canberra Airport.

Costello denied the bizarre encounter, which was filmed, was assault.

Originally published as Channel Nine news executive David Richardson sacked after alleged incident at work Christmas party