U.K.-based Cambridge Analytica LLC, the data analytics firm at the center of multiple inquiries into the mishandling of Facebook Inc. user data, suspended its CEO Alexander Nix pending a full investigation into comments secretly recorded by a British news channel.

In a statement, the company's board said the comments "do not represent the values or operations of the firm and his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation."

Channel 4 News recorded Nix discussing facilitating potential blackmail and bribery schemes in political campaigns, including spreading damaging information on social media.

Cambridge Analytica said it had appointed counsel to oversee the investigation, the results of which would be shared publicly "in due course."

The firm's chief data officer, Alexander Tayler, was appointed to serve as interim CEO during the investigation.