Dan Walker has expressed his hope that his former Channel 5 News co-host Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije finds peace following a mutual agreement reached over allegations she made against him. The former BBC Breakfast presenter stated that he firmly believes he should never have been involved in the matter.
Vanderpuije reached an agreement with ITN and Channel 5, withdrawing all allegations made against Walker, according to a statement from her legal representatives. The 47-year-old presenter, who co-hosted Channel 5 News with Walker starting in 2022, had previously filed claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment on grounds of race and sex, and breach of contract.
Walker, who also participated in Strictly Come Dancing, was named as a respondent in the claims alongside Channel 5, ITN, ITN CEO Rachel Corp, and Paramount Global, the owner of Channel 5. In a statement posted on Instagram immediately after the claims were withdrawn, Walker said: 'I firmly feel that I should never have been pulled into this; however, I was fully prepared to go to tribunal and defend the allegations which were levelled at me.'
He added: 'Through all of this, I have always been concerned for the claimant's wellbeing, and that has not changed. I hope she finds peace. I want to thank my family and friends for all their love and support through this. I will be forever grateful to those who were kind enough to go on the record with their accounts of working alongside me. My thanks also to my legal team and the wonderful colleagues at 5 News and Classic FM who have supported me every step of the way.'
Employment Tribunal Hearing Dismissed
The 49-year-old, who now hosts the weekday breakfast show on Classic FM, was scheduled to appear at an employment tribunal beginning on Monday. However, on Friday, it was confirmed that an agreement had been reached. During a minute-long hearing on Friday afternoon, Employment Judge Emma Webster dismissed all claims.
A statement from Vanderpuije's lawyers 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.'
An ITN spokesperson commented: 'We continue to deny these claims in full, and we are glad this matter has been resolved.' A Channel 5 spokesperson added: 'We strongly reject the claims that were made and are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that all the allegations relating to Dan Walker have been withdrawn.'
Vanderpuije had also filed a claim of suffering a detriment or dismissal due to exercising rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, commonly known as whistleblowing. She left Channel 5 News in 2024.
