LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Popular former Fox News host Bill O‘Reilly, who was fired over allegations of sexual harassment, said on Tuesday he was the victim of a “political and financial hit job” and that he had never mistreated anyone in his 42-year career.
In his first TV interview since being fired in April, O‘Reilly, whose pugnacious “The O‘Reilly Factor” was the most-watched cable news show, said he was brought down by sponsor boycotts and wider business decisions at Twenty-First Century Fox Inc.
O‘Reilly gave no details but Fox is currently seeking government approval in the UK for its $15 billion bid to take over broadcaster Sky.
O‘Reilly was forced out after a New York Times report that he had paid five women a total of $13 million to settle sexual harassment claims in the past.
Nine months earlier, then-Fox News chief Roger Ailes resigned after facing similar allegations.
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