Cable News Network (CNN) has fired Chris Cuomo, an American television journalist, for helping his brother, Andrew Cuomo, an ex-New York governor, while he was battling accusations of sexual misconduct.

CNN announced the termination of the former presenter of Cuomo Prime Time on Saturday, adding that “additional information” had emerged over the extent of Chris Cuomo’s involvement in his older brother’s defence.

In a statement, CNN said: “Chris Cuomo was suspended earlier this week pending further evaluation of new information that came to light about his involvement with his brother’s defence. We retained a respected law firm to conduct the review, and have terminated him, effective immediately.

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“While in the process of that review, additional information has come to light,” CNN’s statement contained. “Despite the termination, we will investigate as appropriate.”

Cuomo, in a statement quoted by the New York Times, 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 … I owe them all and will miss that group of special people who did really important work.”

The CNN broadcaster put his strategy of not covering his brother to the test in early 2020, when the two often interacted and laughed on television amid the early stages of the coronavirus epidemic and with New York particularly hard-hit.

The controversy that ensnared Andrew Cuomo stretched to his younger brother, who admitted to advising the governor as he faced harassment allegations that he rejected but eventually resulted in his resignation in August.

On Tuesday, CNN ‘indefinitely’ suspended Chris Cuomo after the release of documentation collected during an investigation of Andrew Cuomo by the New York state attorney general, Letitia James.

According to James’s disclosures, Chris Cuomo prodded sources for information on his brother’s accusers, reported to the governor’s office, and was actively involved in shaping answers to the claims.

This discovery sparked widespread demands for CNN to terminate Cuomo.

Marissa Hoechstetter, a victims’ rights advocate, tweeted: “As a survivor who has trusted CNN with my story, it is deeply disturbing that Chris Cuomo remains employed.

 “His unethical behaviour – plus that of anyone giving him any info in the first place – should be disqualifying for a journalist. If they keep him on, they can’t be trusted.”

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Charlotte Bennett, an alleged victim of sexual misconduct by Andrew Cuomo, said: “Just like his older brother, Chris Cuomo used his time, network and resources to help smear victims, dig up opposition research, and belittle our credible allegations.

 “Anything short of firing Chris Cuomo reflects a network lacking both morals and backbone. Does CNN stand by journalistic integrity, or will it simply excuse his actions because Chris Cuomo drives ratings?”