The CBC has hired an outside investigator to probe what it calls “extremely disturbing” reports about fired radio host Jian Ghomeshi.

“Over the last 12 hours, as you undoubtedly already know, we have become aware of further accounts of impropriety towards our employees (and other individuals) through another Toronto Star story, on As It Happens last night and again this morning on The Current,” read an internal memo from EVP of English services Heather Conway that was issued on Thursday afternoon.

“These reports are extremely disturbing and of great concern to all of us,” she added after the Toronto Star newspaper and the CBC offered accounts of alleged abusive behavior towards women by the former radio host.

Conway said the CBC is going beyond an internal preliminary probe to hire an outside company to join the widening investigation.

“Given the serious nature of what has been reported, we are currently in the process of selecting a third-party company who will conduct a rigorous, independent investigation beyond what’s already done,” she said.

The CBC is also making counselors available to employees, if needed, the memo said.