TORONTO -- The executive producer of "Q" is leaving the CBC radio show in the aftermath of the ongoing scandal involving its former host, Jian Ghomeshi, the broadcaster said Monday.

Arif Noorani, who opted to take time away from the program last week, will return to work on Monday to work on a different project, the CBC said.

Noorani did not respond for a request for comment but a spokesman for the broadcaster said the change was at his request.

"He's asked for a reassignment given all that has transpired over the last couple of weeks," said CBC spokesman Chuck Thompson.

"When he comes back next Monday, he'll be working on the development of a new show for CBC radio."

Thompson cited competitive reasons for refusing to provide details about what Noorani would be doing, but did say he would be retaining the title of executive producer.

Ghomeshi was fired on Oct. 26. The CBC later said it made the decision after viewing what it termed "graphic evidence" that he had caused injury to a woman.

Ghomeshi, who has essentially vanished since then, has filed a $55-million lawsuit against the CBC alleging defamation and breach of confidence. He has argued in a Facebook posting that he engaged in "rough sex" with women, but said it was always consensual.

In its statement of defence, the corporation said the lawsuit was without merit and that Ghomeshi was simply trying to win public and media support in light of a growing flurry of allegations from women claiming he had assaulted them.

In all, nine woman have alleged Ghomeshi sexually or physically assaulted them and police are investigating complaints by at least three of them.

Noorani found himself close to the centre of the scandal after a former producer said he knew of her allegation that the "Q" host had sexually harassed her at work -- but did nothing about it.

He has denied that she made any allegation of sexual harassment.

The union rep to whom the producer complained also said that the young woman, who has chosen not to be identified publicly, only said Ghomeshi had yelled at her during a script review and stormed out, a source told The Canadian Press.

What and when exactly CBC knew about Ghomeshi's alleged workplace behaviour is the subject of an investigation by a well-known employment lawyer, who will report her findings to management.

Thompson said "Q" would stay on air and that he would likely know more on Tuesday about who would take over for Noorani.