2GB, Sky News host Chris Smith taken off-air amid allegations of misconduct

Sky News Australia prime time host and 2GB broadcaster Chris Smith has been suspended following allegations of inappropriate behaviour at an end-of-year work party.

Sky News Australia prime-time host and 2GB broadcaster Chris Smith.

Sky News Australia prime-time host and 2GB broadcaster Chris Smith has been suspended from both his media roles following allegations of inappropriate behaviour at an end-of-year work party.

The 60-year-old was drinking with Sky colleagues at Sydney bar The Establishment on Saturday evening after the official Sky Christmas party had concluded when the alleged conduct took place.

Smith, a father of four, is understood to have been involved in inappropriate behaviour with multiple female staff, resulting in one employee striking him.

Smith, who appears each Sunday on Sky’s Chris Smith Tonight as well as hosting his own show on 2GB on Saturday and Sunday mornings, did not appear on either program.

Sky made an abrupt programming change and the show was replaced with a repeat episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored.

Smith also appears each Sunday morning on Sky’s Weekend Edition program.

A 2GB spokesperson said: “2GB has been made aware of serious allegations against Chris Smith, arising from the Sky News Christmas party. Sky has advised they are conducting an investigation.

“Chris has been stood down from his duties at 2GB until the investigation has concluded.”

A Sky News spokeswoman confirmed that Smith had been suspended from the network.

“The person involved has been suspended while an investigation into the allegations is undertaken,” she said in a statement.

“The welfare of our staff is our absolute priority. We have a zero-tolerance approach to ­inappropriate conduct and take these allegations very seriously.

“There will be no further comment while the investigation is carried out.”

It is not the first time Smith has been involved in incidents at his workplace

In 2009 he was suspended indefinitely by Macquarie Radio Network (now Nine radio) after he was involved in an incident at a work party where he exposed himself to multiple female staff members.

He was also fired from Nine’s A Current Affair in the 1990s after allegedly exposing himself to staff and being involved in misconduct.

Sky News Australia is owned by News Corp Australia, publisher of The Australian.

Smith did not respond to questions from The Australian on Sunday.