Charles Dutoit steps down early as Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's artistic director and principal conductor

CharlesDutoithas stepped down as artistic director and principal conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the famed London orchestra said in a release on Wednesday.

"Dutoithad already announced in June 2017 that he would stand down in October 2019; this will now take place with immediate effect," the RoyalPhilharmonicsaid.

• Conductor CharlesDutoitaccused of sexual misconduct
• CharlesDutoitto be replaced by JoshuaWeilerstein

The orchestra cites "allegations of inappropriate conduct" againstDutoitas the reason for the decision and says "protracted uncertainty" and media coverage has made his position untenable.

Several major symphonies cut ties withDutoitafter The Associated Press reported last month that three opera singers and a classical musician saidDutoitsexually assaulted them in incidents between 1985 and 2010.

The New York Philharmonic said late December that Joshua Weilerstein would replace Dutoit and lead performances with the New York Philharmonic following sexual assault allegations against him.

Dutoit'soffice said there is no truth to the allegations.