NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams has been suspended for six months without pay after admitting a story about his coverage of the Iraq war was false.

NBC executives released a statement saying that Williams' actions are "inexcusable" and that the suspension is "severe and appropriate".

Last week, the 55-year-old anchor apologised for 'misremembering' events that happened during his coverage of the the Iraq war in 2003.

Williams had said repeatedly that the helicopter he was riding in had been hit by a rocket-propelled grenade when in fact it had not.

The suspension comes after Williams voluntarily took himself off the air over the weekend.

NBC is conducting an internal investigation into the matter.

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