Garrison Keillor fired, says he put hand on woman's bare back

The Associated Press</span>
Published Wednesday, November 29, 2017 2:13PM EST
Last Updated Wednesday, November 29, 2017 2:18PM EST

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Latest on the firing of Garrison Keillor over an allegation of inappropriate behaviour (all times local):

1:05 p.m.

Garrison Keillor says he was fired because he put his hand on a woman's bare back as he tried to console her.

The longtime radio host announced Wednesday he'd been fired by Minnesota Public Radio. Keillor retired from his popular show, "A Prairie Home Companion," last year but had still worked for MPR on a variety of projects.

Keillor tells the Minneapolis Star Tribune in an email that he was trying to pat the woman's back after she had told him "about her unhappiness." Keillor wrote that the woman's shirt was open and his hand went up about 6 inches.

Keillor says he apologized when the woman recoiled, and also emailed the woman an apology. He says she replied she'd forgiven him and "not to think about it."

Keillor says he considered her a friend and they remained friendly "right up until her lawyer called."

MPR declined to give any detail of the allegation against Keillor.

12:30 p.m.

Minnesota Public Radio is telling members it was "the right thing to do" to fire Garrison Keillor.

MPR depends heavily on member support. It sent note to supporters after Wednesday's firing was announced, saying the organization appreciates Keillor's contributions to the network "and to all of public radio."

The statement was signed by MPR President Jon McTaggart. It says the firing was necessary "to continue to earn your trust."

Neither MPR nor Keillor has released details about the allegation. MPR says it is a single allegation last month from a person who worked with Keillor while he was producing "A Prairie Home Companion."

Keillor retired from the show last year.

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