Roger Ailes resigns as Fox News chair amid sexual harassment scandal

Rupert Murdoch will serve as interim chairman of the company

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Fox News chairman and CEO Roger Ailes issued his resignation, effective immediately, following sexual assault allegations from more than 20 women.

Rupert Murdoch, executive director of 21st Century Fox, will serve as interim chair and CEO of Fox News Channel and Fox Business Network.

“Roger Ailes has made a remarkable contribution to our company and our country. Roger shared my vision of a great and independent television organisation and executed it brilliantly over 20 great years,” Mr Murdoch, 85, said in a statement. “Fox News has given voice to those who were ignored by the traditional networks and has been one of the great commercial success stories of modern media.”

"I am personally committed to ensuring that Fox News remains a distinctive, powerful voice. Our nation needs a robust Fox News to resonate from every corner of the country."

Fox News anchor, Gretchen Carlson, filed a lawsuit against Mr Ailes, 76, alleging that he did not renew her contract after she refused sexual advances from him. Lawyers launched an investigation into the executive's treatment of women at the media company after Ms Carlson challenged the "sexist" culture at the workplace.

Among Mr Ailes' accusers, Fox's News most prominent female anchor, Megyn Kelly, reportedly told lawyers that Mr Ailes sexually harassed her more than a decade ago.

More than 20 accusations against Mr ailes have come in, dating back to his work in the 1960's on the Mike Douglas Show, according to the Guardian.

For his part, Mr Ailes has fervently denied accusations made by Ms Kelly and Ms Carlson.

"Roger Ailes never harassed Megyn Kelly," said Susan Estrich, Mr Ailes' lawyer, said in a statement. "In fact he has spent much of the last decade promoting and helping her to achieve the stardom she earned, for which she has repeatedly and publicly thanked him."

The future of Fox News remains uncertain as some of the station's top players, such as Bill O'Reilly and Sean Hannity, could leave alongside Mr Ailes, as their contracts contain options that they could leave if he is no longer in charge.

Mr Ailes co-founded Fox News in 1996, and it has since become a strong source of conservative news.