Veteran reporter ‘deeply sorry’ after five women say he sexually harassed them. Alleged incidents occurred at ABC in early 2000s.

Prominent MSNBC journalist Mark Halperin – co-author of a best-selling book about Barack Obama – has been suspended from his role as a contributor to the network following charges from five women who claimed he sexually harassed them while he was an ABC News executive.

MSNBC said on Thursday it found Halperin’s conduct as described in a CNN story “very troubling” and that the veteran political reporter would be off the air until questions about his past are fully understood. Halperin has apologized for what he termed inappropriate behavior.

The co-author of the bestselling book Game Change – published in the UK as Race of a Lifetime: How Obama Won the White House – told CNN on Wednesday night that he was “deeply sorry” and was taking a “step back” from day-to-day work to deal with the situation.

His statement came after CNN reported allegations that Halperin propositioned, fondled and pushed himself against five women in the early 2000s while he was ABC News’ political director.

The women, who asked to remain anonymous, said they did not report Halperin’s conduct because they feared retribution or were embarrassed.

Halperin said he pursued relationships, sometimes with junior co-workers, but CNN said he denied the groping allegations.

On MSNBC’s Morning Joe on Thursday, co-host Mika Brzezinski informed viewers about Halperin. He has been a frequent panelist on the show.

“We’re going to be following this story as it develops,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll be talking about it again when we know more about it.”