A Seven spokesperson confirmed Ovadia had been placed on leave.
“Robert Ovadia is on leave. Seven is conducting an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Robert Ovadia.”
Seven’s director of news and current affairs editor-in-chief Anthony De Ceglie declined to comment.
Ovadia on Friday told this masthead no complaint had been filed against him.
“Seven has told me no current or former colleague has made any complaint against me,” Ovadia said in a statement.
“As far as I am aware,I have not been stood down by the company. Any suggestion I have behaved inappropriately at any time is false,malicious and will be defended.”
This masthead is not suggesting that any allegation of inappropriate behaviour is true,only that Ovadia is on leave pending an investigation.