Co-hosts of Charlie Rose respond after sex claims

American newsman Charlie Rose’s fellow hosts on “CBS This Morning” on Tuesday criticized their suspended colleague after a report of sexual misconduct claims against him.

The broadcast journalist allegedly groped female staffers and walked around naked in front of them.

“This has to end,” said Norah O’Donnell, who hosts the show with Rose and Gayle King.

The show is now left with the two women hosts, and the accusations against Rose was their lead story on Tuesday. 

CBS suspended Rose after the Washington Post published a story about him on Monday, and PBS halted its distribution of his nightly interview show.

King said she considered Rose a friend and held him in high regard, but was struggling because “what do you say when someone that you deeply care about has done something so horrible?”

She added: “How do you wrap your brain around that? I’m really grappling with that. 

“That said, Charlie does not get a pass here. He doesn’t get a pass from anyone in this room.” King said although the story described a Rose she did not know, “I’m also clearly on the side of the women who have been very hurt and damaged by this.”

O’Donnell, however, did not address her relationship with Rose. “This is a moment that demands a frank and honest assessment about where we stand and more generally the safety of women,” she said. 

“Let me be very clear. There is no excuse for this alleged behavior.”

Women cannot achieve equality in the workplace and society unless there is a reckoning and taking of responsibility, said O’Donnell.

Rose, 75, apologized for his behavior on Monday and said he was embarrassed by it. He joins a rapidly growing list of public figures felled by allegations of misconduct since the floodgates were opened by The New York Times’ investigation of harassment and assault by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein.

Rose had been co-hosting “CBS This Morning” since 2012.