Charlie Rose denounced by CBS co-hosts who voice support for his accusers

A high-profile television journalist accused of sexual harassment by a number of women, was subjected to a scathing attack by two of his co-hosts who said he “does not get a pass”.

Charlie Rose, 75, a celebrated broadcaster who appears on CBS, PBS and Bloomberg channels, has been accused of harassing up to 11 women who worked for him from the late 1990s to as recently as 2011. The allegations include that Mr Rose made unwanted sexual advances, lewd phone calls, would walk around naked in their presence and groped their breasts and buttocks.

Mr Rose, who has been suspended by CBS, was the target of a damning attack from his two co-hosts on the network’s This Morning show. Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King said they were staggered by the allegations but insisted they stood with the women who had made them.

“It takes a lot of courage for these women to come forward, and I think they should continue to,” said Ms O’Donnell. She said such behaviour was “systemic and pervasive” and had to come to an end.

“This is a moment that demands a frank and honest assessment about where we stand and more generally the safety of women,” she said. “Let me be very clear. There is no excuse for this alleged behaviour.”

She added: “I know this is true - women cannot achieve equality in the workplace or in society until there is a reckoning and a taking of responsibility.”

Ms King said she had only been able to sleep for less than two hours since reading of the allegations against someone she considered a friend and had held in the “highest regard”. She said she had spoken to her children and friend Oprah Winfrey about the claims.

She said she had not yet spoken to Mr Rose since the accusations were published but that she intended to do so later in the day.

“How do you wrap your brain around that,” she said. “I’m really grappling with that. That said, Charlie does not get a pass here. He doesn’t get a pass from anyone in this room.”

She said the story described a character she did not recognise. Yet, she added: “I’m also clearly on the side of the women who have been very hurt and damaged by this.”

In a statement to the Washington Post, which first broke the news of the allegations, Mr Rose apologised to any women who had been upset by his actions. Along with eight women who spoke to the Post, three additional women who interned for his show accused him of sexually harassing them.

One woman told Business Insider he grabbed her leg, while two more detailed how Mr Rose welcomed them at this home wearing his bathrobe.

“In my 45 years in journalism, I have prided myself on being an advocate for the careers of the women with whom I have worked,” Mr Rose said.

“Nevertheless, in the past few days, claims have been made about my behaviour toward some former female colleagues.”

He added: “It is essential that these women know I hear them and that I deeply apologise for my inappropriate behaviour.

“I am greatly embarrassed. I have behaved insensitively at times, and I accept responsibility for that, though I do not believe that all of these allegations are accurate. I always felt that I was pursuing shared feelings, even though I now realise I was mistaken.”

The accusations against Mr Rose are the latest in a series of claims of sexual assault, harassment and misconduct to be made at a number of high profile figures in fields stretching from Hollywood, business, politics and the media.

The outpouring of allegations was triggered by claims made against film producer Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused of sexual assault, rape, and harassment by more than a dozen women, including several actresses. Mr Weinstein has denied all the claims.