Global television news anchor Leslie Roberts has resigned following an internal investigation into conflict of interest allegations.
Global executives announced Thursday that Roberts’ resignation was effective immediately.
The news anchor and morning show host was suspended last week in the wake of a Toronto Star report that he was part-owner of public relations firm Buzz PR. The media report alleged that some of the company’s clients have previously appeared on Roberts’ news shows.
Roberts told the Star that he never directly accepted payment from a client in order to appear on a Global News show.
Global launched an internal investigation, saying Roberts never disclosed his work with Buzz PR to management.
Senior management informed Global News employees of Roberts’ resignation via an internal memo, Globalnews.ca reported Thursday.
“In light of the findings of an internal investigation, conducted on the basis of our Business Conduct Standards and the Global News Journalistic Principles and Practices, Global News is satisfied with today’s outcome,” the statement read. “Global News remains committed to balanced and ethical journalism produced in the public’s interest.”
In his letter of resignation, made public by Global, Roberts said he regrets “the circumstances, specifically a failure to disclose the information, which led to this outcome.”
Roberts has worked for Global since 2000. He was an anchor and executive editor of Global Toronto and co-host of the network’s National Morning show.
