News Corp warns staff to behave at Christmas parties as Sky News’ Laura Jayes turns on Chris Smith

Sky News Australia has sacked star presenter Chris Smith after his ‘drunken’ collapse at the network’s Christmas party.

Sky News chief executive Paul Whittaker issued a statement confirming his contract had been terminated following an investigation into allegations of “serious misconduct”.

“Today we have informed Chris Smith that his contract with Sky News Australia has been terminated as a result of inappropriate behavior in breach of his contract and company policy,” Whittaker said on Tuesday.

“We continue to offer support to affected staff members, whose well-being remains our primary concern.”

His dismissal follows a warning issued by News Corp Australia boss Michael Miller for staff to behave well at work Christmas parties in the wake of Smith’s antics.

Miller sent an email to all staff on Tuesday advising the company’s 8,000 workers to treat their colleagues with respect at ‘formal and informal’ holiday functions, and to ‘remember that there are consequences for such inappropriate behavior’

The warning came as 2GB announced it had fired Smith after he allegedly left a colleague in tears and another slapped him across the face for his “inappropriate behaviour” on Saturday night.

Smith’s Sky co-workers have also made it clear they don’t want him back, with Laura Jayes posting ‘Have a good trip’ on Instagram and linking to a scathing attack by Andrew Bolt.

Another high-profile female Sky star, Rita Panahi, has said Smith should never work for the network again after the way she made “several women” at the party feel.

Smith was one of a select few News Corp stars invited to Lachlan Murdoch’s harborside mansion for their annual New Year’s Eve party.

‘Have a safe trip’: Top Sky News presenter Laura Jayes (left) has made her feelings on Smith clear

Just two days before the now-infamous bash, Smith had been one of the few News Corp stars invited to global co-chairman Lachlan Murdoch’s harborside mansion for his annual New Year’s Eve soiree.

In his memo to staff, Miller said he wanted to state “as clearly as possible” that a “poor choice you make at the party will undermine all the good work you’ve accomplished at News.”

Daily Mail Australia understands that The Sunday Telegraph staff will hold their Christmas party at the Wooloomooloo Bay Hotel, while a larger News Corp Christmas party will be held next Wednesday at The Beresford.

“As we approach the end of the year, the formal and informal parties and team meetings are coming. And as we anticipate those events, I want to say something as clear as possible,” Miller began.

‘Don’t let one bad choice you make at the party undermine all the good work you’ve accomplished in the news.

‘We enjoy each other’s company and treat people fairly. We have a great camaraderie that helps fuel the success we have enjoyed during these last few difficult years.

Michael Miller, pictured with his wife, has warned staff to behave at Christmas parties.

Sky presenter Rita Panahi (above) also spoke about Smith during her show. “What she did on Saturday night, how she made a number of women feel, means that, in my opinion, she can never be on this network again,” she said Panahi.

‘So enjoy your gathering in a spirit of goodwill, good cheer and, yes, good manners.

‘Remember that inappropriate behavior has consequences. We all have the right to celebrate with co-workers, and I urge you to make this occasion to remember and not regret.’

Nine’s general manager of radio, Tom Malone, said: “Chris’s behavior represents a serious breach of his contract and is not aligned with 2GB’s values.”

He says the media company has provided support to Smith in recent days and will continue to offer that support as needed.

Smith admitted that his behavior was unacceptable and apologized for his “drunken treatment” of the women.

It comes after Ray Hadley criticized Smith in a searing trial over his former colleague’s drunken behavior.

Hadley described Smith, 59, as “a disgraceful person” after Smith allegedly made lewd comments at a New Year’s Eve party on Saturday, bringing a co-worker to tears.

Chris Smith has apologized for his drunken behavior towards his female colleagues at the Sky News Christmas party and revealed that he has checked himself into a mental health facility. Smith is pictured with his wife Susie Burrell, who left the family home on Sunday.

Although Hadley is on a 2GB license, she called out the show hosted by her summer replacement, Mark Levy, to gut Smith on Tuesday, alleging that Smith has a history of “cheating young women.”

Hadley began by acknowledging that she had fallen out with Smith in the past, stating, “I wish him no harm.”

He then went on a tirade about Smith’s character, calling him “a drunken fool” and hoping the disgraced broadcaster would be fired.

Although Ray Hadley is on leave from 2GB, he called the station to eviscerate Smith claiming that Smith has a history of ‘cheating young women’.

The 2 GB breakfast host echoed earlier calls from Bolt and Panahi that their colleague lost his job.

Bolt called for the suspended broadcaster to be fired during a segment of more than three minutes on his Sky show on Monday night.

‘I don’t think so [Smith] should never go back to a network,” Hadley said Tuesday.

“I would be very surprised if he ever returns anywhere, and I would say that the radio and television industry will not be any poorer for him.

It will be much better for him to leave him. So bon voyage to the bad trash,” Hadley said.

‘I am ashamed to be a former colleague of [Smith’s]and I hope I never have to work with him again,” Hadley said.

“I am beyond heartbroken and devastated to learn that I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,” Smith (pictured above in an earlier feature) said Monday afternoon.

‘My sympathy is with the young women who have been monstrous for him not only this time but also before. He is a shameful person.

Smith was suspended by Sky News over the scandal, which occurred on Saturday night, and the fallout continued to worsen for him after he was sacked by 2GB.

His wife, the famous nutritionist Susie Burrell, is believed to have moved out of the family home with their twins.

He has since apologized for his “humiliating” behavior and checked himself into a mental health facility.

He blamed addiction and bipolar disorder for his actions, the same excuse the veteran broadcaster used for inappropriate conduct at a 2GB Christmas party 13 years earlier.

In a statement released Monday afternoon, Smith apologized for his behavior and said the incidents at the party did not reflect his behavior at work.

“I am beyond heartbroken and devastated to learn that I have upset my colleagues after our Christmas party,” Smith said.

I apologize profusely to the women I upset. That’s not the man I am at work, ever, as everyone attests. They have been very supportive of me and do not deserve such drunken treatment.’

Smith blamed the events on bipolar disorder and alcohol addiction, saying: “I have a recurring problem with alcohol … it makes me manic.”

Hadley criticized Smith for using the same excuses again when he called 2GB on Tuesday.

‘Young women should be protected, they shouldn’t go to Christmas parties and be tricked by drunken fools and that’s what happened in this particular case and I have no sympathy for him, I’ve heard it all. [his excuses] before: “I’m bipolar, I drink too much, I’m a monster when I drink,” Hadley explained.

We’ve heard it four or five times over the years.