Charlie Rose accused of sexual harrassment by eight women

Charlie Rose has been suspended by CBS after eight women accused him of sexual harrassment. The veteran TV host is the latest high-profile name to face such claims after allegations were levelled at film producer Harvey Weinstein.

The Washington Post said that the women had said Mr Rose made unwanted sexual advances toward them, including lewd phone calls, walking around naked in their presence, or groping their breasts, buttocks or genital areas.

The newspaper said the women were employees or aspired to work for the 75-year-old Mr Rose at the Charlie Rose show from the late 1990s to as recently as 2011. They ranged in age from 21 to 37 at the time of the alleged encounters.

“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 in a statement to the newspaper. “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 at Mr Rose are just the latest in a series of claims of sexual assault, harrassment 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 followed claims made at Mr 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.