Updated at 6:56 p.m.

Portland-based conservative radio host Lars Larson on Thursday claimed to identify the suspected whistleblower at the center of the Ukraine scandal and President Donald Trump’s impeachment inquiry during an appearance on Fox News, apparently catching the network by surprise.

While appearing as a panel guest on the “Outnumbered Overtime” show, Larson said a name he believes is the alleged whistleblower as he was criticizing the impeachment inquiry process, according to a clip of the segment that has appeared on social media. The person’s name has also been circulating in articles from right-wing media outlets this week.

In a statement, a Fox News spokesperson said network officials weren’t aware Larson would be saying the name on air.

“FOX News has not confirmed or independently verified the name of the whistleblower,” the statement said.

The move apparently went against a policy adopted by major newspapers and TV networks, including the Fox News Channel, not to use the name of the suspected whistleblower until that person’s identity could be independently confirmed, or until the person chose to make his or her identity public.

Larson, who again repeated the name during his syndicated radio show, told The Oregonian/OregonLive on Thursday evening that he didn’t know of any network restrictions on identifying the person before he went on air and he hasn’t heard from anyone at the network since. He said he decided to say the name during the Fox News broadcast because of the seriousness of the Democrat-led inquiry.

“The name isn’t a secret,” Larson said. “Everyone on Capitol Hill knows the name. Everyone in the press corps knows the name. The American public has a right to know who this is, especially if it turns out that these allegations are false.”

Larson said he hasn’t independently verified the name of the suspected whistleblower, “but I’ve got enough different sources that I believe it is who I say it is.”

“Until I find a compelling reason or someone tells me otherwise, I don’t see why I would stop and I don’t see anyone confirming that he isn’t the whistleblower,” Larson said. “I truly believe it’s important to know who he is and if his actions are politically motivated or some heartfelt desire to oust wrongdoing.”

The whistleblower, part of the U.S. intelligence community, raised concerns about President Trump’s controversial July phone call with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky – a conversation that sparked the ongoing impeachment inquiry. Trump has denied he was using U.S. military aid as a reward for Ukraine launching an investigation into one of his political rivals.

House Democrats plan to hold the first public hearings in the inquiry next week.

-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist

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