Donald Trump ally Roger Ailes ‘offered Megyn Kelly career advancement for sexual favours’, Fox News anchor claims
Kelly's book, Settle For More, is due to be published on 15 November as the Fox News anchor negotiates her new contract at the network
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Former Fox News chairman Roger Ailes allegedly offered anchor Megyn Kelly to advance her career in return for sexual favours, according to claims in her upcoming book.
The book, Settle For More, is not published until 15 November and is under embargo, but Radar Online said it obtained a leaked passage.
Ms Kelly wrote that she forcefully rejected Mr Ailes’ advances at Fox.
The section concerning her former boss were reportedly added to the manuscript at a later stage.
"Roger began pushing the limits," she alleged.
"There was a pattern to his behaviour. I would be called into Roger’s office, he would shut the door, and over the next hour or two, he would engage in a kind of cat-and-mouse game with me — veering between obviously inappropriate sexually charged comments (e.g. about the ‘very sexy bras’ I must have and how he’d like to see me in them) and legitimate professional advice."
She said he "crossed a new line" in 2006 when he "grabbed [her] repeatedly” and “kissed [her] on the lips".
"He asked me an ominous question: ‘When is your contract up?’ And then, for the third time, he tried to kiss me."
She said she reported him to a supervisor and the harassment ended after six months. She said she refused to defend him when colleagues accused him of sexual harassment.
Ms Kelly’s book release comes as she is renegotiating her contract with Fox News.
Ms Kelly noticeably stayed silent when the news broke that former Fox anchor Gretchen Carlson, followed by anchor Andrea Tantaros and others, were suing Mr Ailes for sexual harassment.
Mr Ailes denied all the allegations. He reached a $20 million settlement with Ms Carlson. Ms Tantatos turned down a settlement and wants Mr Ailes to testify in court.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments