Ghomeshi probe by Star took place while paper's publisher appeared on Q

The publisher of the Toronto Star says he chose not to leave his role as a regular media panellist on Jian Ghomeshi's CBC Radio program Q, even while his own paper investigated allegations of sexual harassment and physical abuse against the former CBC radio host, and says he even discussed the investigation with Ghomeshi.

Despite what appeared to be a conflict of interest, John Cruickshank told CBC News, "I didn't feel I could make a statement about why I was leaving the panel without making our investigation public." He added, "Jian Ghomeshi did ask me about the investigation. I told him complaints about his behaviour had been brought to us and we were looking into them."

The Toronto Star had been investigating allegations from women who claim Ghomeshi was physically violent to them without their consent since last spring and published an online version of its report on Oct. 26.

During the course of the Star investigation, Cruickshank continued to appear as a regular media panellist on Q, along with Judy Rebick of Rabble.ca and Jonathan Kay from the National Post. Cruickshank's last appearance was on Oct. 24 with guest host Piya ​Chattopadhyay​. Ghomeshi was notably absent while the CBC was in the process of firing him.

The day before, on Oct. 23, the CBC has stated it had seen "graphic evidence" that Ghomeshi, "had caused physical injury to a woman." According to an internal staff memo from Heather Conway, the executive vice-president of CBC English services, the CBC severed ties with Ghomeshi three days later after determining that "Jian's conduct was a fundamental breach of CBC's standard of acceptable conduct for any employee."

In an email exchange with Star investigative reporter Kevin Donovan, who is covering the Ghomeshi story, Donovan said, "It never occurred to me that he [Cruickshank] should not appear on Q. The investigation I was conducting had nothing to do with the panel."

The panel was a weekly fixture of Ghomeshi's popular Q radio show. Cruickshank said he did consider quitting the media panel and even discussed it with Toronto Star editor Michael Cooke. "But because I couldn't explain why, I decided to continue."

When CBC News asked him why he simply didn't step aside without explaining the real reason why, Cruickshank replied, "The point of leaving would have been to make a statement about Jian. As I couldn't make a statement about Jian at that moment, leaving the panel seemed pointless. I did the panel for the CBC and the Star and journalism -- not for Jian."

Cruickshank has been vocal on the Star's coverage of other stories, including the drug scandal surrounding former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. But on the Ghomeshi report, Cruickshank told CBC News, "As a rule, I don't engage directly with Michael Cooke's reporters on stories," adding, "I recused myself with him so that he understood the final authority on whether to publish was his."

Ghomeshi has previously said he only participates in sexual activities that are consensual for both partners. He denies wrongdoing and says he will "meet these allegations directly."