Chris Cuomo has issued his first statement after it was revealed that he had been "terminated" from CNN "effective immediately".
BBC News reports that the 51-year-old anchor was fired from the news network as a result of the help he provided to his brother, former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, while the latter was battling sexual harassment allegations.
Andrew Cuomo, 63, resigned from his position as NY governor back in August after prosecutors declared that he had harassed staff.
"The best way I can help now is if I step aside," Andrew Cuomo said back in August following news of his resignation. Despite stepping down from his position as governor, Andrew Cuomo denied the allegations made against him. An independent investigation by the New York Attorney General's office concluded that Andrew Cuomo sexually harassed 11 women, including current and former state employees.
Chris Cuomo was suspended "indefinitely" by CNN on Tuesday after the news network stated that an outside law firm retained to review additional information about exactly how the anchor assisted in the defense of his older brother.
CNN reports that the "respected law firm" had submitted its findings on Friday (December 3), and yesterday, CNN Worldwide president Jeff Zucker decided to fire Chris Cuomo from the network.
The network said in a statement:
"Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this week pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother's defense. We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review, and have terminated him, effective immediately."
CNN's statement added that "despite the termination" the "additional information" found means the network will be continuing to "investigate as appropriate."
No further details were provided surrounding any specifics about the "additional information."
In a statement shared with his 2.1 million Twitter followers, the now-former CNN host said: "This is not how I want my time at CNN to end but I have already told you why and how I helped my brother.
"So let me now say as disappointing as this is, I could not be more proud of the team at Cuomo Prime Time and the work we did as CNN's #1 show in the most competitive time slot. I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work."
CNN has also confirmed that any producers or staff that worked on Cuomo Prime Time will remain in their positions. In his place, Chris Cuomo's regular substitute Michael Smerconish will present the 9:00PM Eastern hour next week.
