Early yesterday, the CBC announced that it was terminating the employment of Q radio host Jian Ghomeshi, explaining somewhat vaguely that "information came to our attention recently that ... precludes us from continuing our relationship with Jian." The details didn't remain vague for long. The 47-year-old took to Facebook last night, writing that "I was given the choice to walk away quietly and to publicly suggest that this was my decision. But ... that would be untrue." Ghomeshi's version of the truth is that an unnamed "jilted" ex has launched a smear campaign against him, centered around his bedroom activities, which he writes "may not be palatable to some folks." Ghomeshi describes "a mild form of Fifty Shades of Grey": rough sex that was consensual and involved safe words.
The Toronto Star tells it quite differently: It says it has heard allegations from three women (none willing to go on the record) who describe incredibly violent and non-consensual sex. One told the Star that Ghomeshi had expressed that he would be aggressive, which she took to mean "he would want to pull my hair and have rough sex. ... [Later] he attacked me. Choked me. Hit me like I didn't know men hit women. I submitted." The women told the paper they have not gone to police, reportedly over concerns their names would leak or that sexual texts they sent Ghomeshi would be used against them; they cited the case of Carla Ciccone, who was lambasted online after publishing a story on XOJane about a date she had with a popular radio host and "repulsive sexual predator." Ghomeshi plans to file a $50 million suit against the CBC today; Q is one of the most successful shows the network has ever run. (More Canada stories.)
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