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Matt Lauer fired: NBC presenters announce co-host's dismissal having learnt of sexual misconduct allegation moments before

'As I'm sure you can understand, we are devastated'

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 29 November 2017 14:50 GMT
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Matt Lauer fired: NBC presenter gives heartfelt reaction to colleague's sacking

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This is the moment Matt Lauer's Today co-hosts announced the news their colleague had been dismissed by NBC for inappropriate workplace behaviour having learned the news just moments before.

Announced at the top of the show which has since been posted on Twitter saw an emotional Savannah Guthrie say: “This is a sad morning at Today and NBC News. As I'm sure you can understand, we are devastated. I'm heartbroken for Matt. He is my dear, dear colleague.”

Alongside Hoda Kotb, Guthrie - who had been informed by executives minutes before going on air - also added that she was heartbroken for the woman who accused Lauer of sexual misconduct.

Lauer, who is reported to have been the highest-paid personality in TV news, was fired over what is currently claimed to be a sole harassment allegation made by an employee.

NBC News chairman Andrew Lack revealed that Lauer's firing came after “being presented with reason to believe this may not have been an isolated incident.”

The news comes after CBS sacked leading anchor Charlie Rose following allegations of sexual misconduct while as well as Fox News who sacked Bill O'Reilly in April.

Donald Trump addressed the news in a tweet which saw him call for the sacking of NBC executives, including Lack.

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