CEO of TMX Group Lou Eccleston speaks at the Sandler O'Neill Global Exchange and Brokerage Conference in the Manhattan borough of New York, New York, U.S., June 5, 2019. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

TORONTO (Reuters) - TMX Group X.TO is looking into allegations about the past conduct of its chief executive officer, Lou Eccleston, the operator of the Toronto Stock Exchange said in a statement.

Eccleston had informed TMX’s board that “he supports this course of action”, the statement said. A TMX spokesman responded to emails sent to Eccleston, saying the company had no comment beyond its statement.

“TMX Group has recently become aware of allegations made regarding the past conduct of TMX Group chief executive officer Lou Eccleston,” TMX said in the statement late on Tuesday.

A report in the Business Insider outlined accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct by Eccleston, which Reuters was unable to independently confirm, during his tenure at Bloomberg.

“While TMX Group has no comment on these specific allegations at this time, it takes allegations of this nature seriously, and the TMX Group board is looking into this matter.”

In a statement emailed to Reuters on Thursday, Bloomberg said: “Bloomberg strongly supports a culture that treats all employees with dignity and respect, and enforces that culture through clear policies and practices.”

“Sexual harassment is prohibited and offenders face termination,” the statement said.

TMX shares, which closed down 4.7% in Toronto on Wednesday, were flat on Thursday.