The controversy facing Roger Ailes over allegations that he sexually harassed a Fox News reporter has deepened after anther, high profile female journalist said he also made unwanted sexual advances to her.

Former Fox and Friends anchor Gretchen Carlson alleged in a lawsuit earlier this month that Mr Ailes did not renew her contract as she rebuffed his sexual advances and she challenged a “sexist” newsroom culture.

On Monday, New York magazine reported that Rupert Murdoch and his sons had decided to fire the 76-year-old Fox News CEO after seeing the preliminary results of a investigation by New York lawyers. Now the magazine has reported that Megyn Kelly, probably the most high-profile female Fox News journalist, told those investigators that Mr Ailes also harassed her.

Roger Ailes (Getty)

“Kelly has told investigators that Ailes made unwanted sexual advances toward her about ten years ago when she was a young correspondent at Fox,” the magazine said. “Kelly, according to the sources, has described her harassment by Ailes in detail.”

Megyn Kelly v Donald Trump

Mr Ailes has denied the allegations contained in Ms Carlson’s lawsuit. He has not yet commented on the latest claims. Ms Kelly has not commented on the issue.