Channel 7 journalist on leave pending an investigation relating to allegations of inappropriate conduct

Robert Ovadia has engaged a high-profile lawyer amid allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a female employee.

Channel 7 reporter Robert Ovadia.

Channel 7 journalist Robert Ovadia is on leave pending an investigation into allegations of inappropriate conduct involving a female employee.

The experienced Sydney-based reporter said he is unaware any complaint has been made against him and he has engaged high-profile lawyer John Laxon.

“Seven had told me no current or former colleagues have made any complaint against me, as far as I am aware,” he told The Australian.

“Any suggestion I have been inappropriate at any time is false, malicious and will be defended”.

Ovadia has worked at Channel 7 for 23 years and he is now on leave while the investigation takes place.

A Seven spokesman said in a statement: “Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Robert Ovadia.”

Seven West Media’s news boss, Anthony De Ceglie, who took over from Craig McPherson last month, would not comment on the matter.

The allegations against Ovadia come as rival network Channel 9 deals with allegations of sexual harassment and bullying within the network that became public following the sudden exit of former news boss Darren Wick.

The ABC is also battling its only issues relating to treatment of staff after an internal review revealed almost 100 staff had been sexually harassed at work and another 186 employees claimed they had been bullied.