Channel 5 News presenter Dan Walker and his former co-host Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije have settled their dispute out of court, with Vanderpuije withdrawing her allegations of bullying and racism against Walker as part of the agreement
Channel 5 presenter Dan Walker, 49, and his former co-host Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, 47, have resolved their disagreement out of court following accusations of racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying within the Channel 5 News workplace.
The allegations, which Walker refuted, were set to be examined at an employment tribunal before both parties reached a settlement on Friday afternoon. The claims were withdrawn as part of the agreement.
A statement on behalf of Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije read: “Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije can confirm that a mutual agreement has been reached with ITN and Channel 5 in respect of the matters subject to Tribunal proceedings. Claudia-Liza fully withdraws her allegations relating to Dan Walker and does not intend to repeat or pursue them.”
The employment dispute between Dan Walker and former Channel 5 News presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije followed accusations she made against ITN and Channel 5, alleging she was the victim of a sham redundancy after making protected disclosures as a whistleblower.
She voiced concerns about a toxic newsroom culture including racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying, and claimed its editorial output mirrored that environment, further alleging attempts to conceal the culture despite obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the broadcaster’s Ofcom licence.
The allegations were disputed and no conclusions were drawn, and the case has now been settled out of court.
Walker and Vanderpuije had previously presented Channel 5 News as co-anchors following Walker’s arrival at the broadcaster in 2022, after his departure from BBC Breakfast. Vanderpuije had been a fixture at Channel 5 since 2018, but departed in 2023, with insiders at the time indicating her exit was abrupt.
In an earlier statement, Walker rejected all claims made against him. Referring to an internal probe from 2024, he stated: “That was fully investigated and I was entirely vindicated by an independent inquiry.”
The investigation found there was inadequate evidence to support the complaints, according to sources. Walker is believed to have given his complete cooperation during that examination. However, Vanderpuije’s legal representatives contended the internal procedure failed to properly tackle her grievances, which were subsequently being examined as part of the tribunal.
At the time, Vanderpuije’s solicitor Jonathan Coad, released a statement on her behalf, which read: “Claudia-Liza claims that she was the victim of a sham redundancy because as a whistleblower she made protected disclosures alleging that a toxic culture of racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying existed in the Channel 5 Newsroom, and that its editorial content reflected its racist culture.
“In her claims, she alleges that ITN and Channel 5 have tried to cover up the racist culture at Channel 5 News, which they have tolerated despite this breaching their statutory obligations. Claudia-Liza is constrained for legal reasons from saying anything further about her claims until the trial.” Over 50 individuals are believed to have rallied behind Walker, offering witness statements and testimonials, including his former BBC colleague Sue Barker.
Asserting that he is “one of the nicest presenters” she has collaborated with, she told The Sun: “I don’t feel I’m putting my head above the parapet speaking up for Dan. I know he’d do the same. I have sat next to him in production many times and he really is one of the nicest, most courteous and hard-working presenters I have broadcast with.
“When I read what was in the papers, I was happy to contact him and give 100 per cent support. I told him to stay strong and that I would help in any way I could.”