Presenter Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije has withdrawn claims against her former Channel 5 News co-host Dan Walker after reaching a “mutual agreement” with the company and ITN.
Vanderpuije, who co-hosted a show with Walker for a year between 2022 and 2023, had filed claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment against ITN and Channel 5’s owner, Paramount, on grounds of race and sex, and breach of contract.
Walker, a former BBC Breakfast host and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, was listed as a respondent in the claims alongside Channel 5 and ITN – including ITN CEO Rachel Corp – and Paramount Global, which owns Channel 5.
The case was to be heard at a London employment tribunal from Monday, and Walker, 49, was due to appear later during the proceedings.
But speaking at the London Tribunals Centre on Friday, Judge Emma Webster said she would dismiss all claims ahead of the tribunal.
Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije and Dan Walker in 2023. Credit: PA
A statement from Vanderpuije’s lawyers said: “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.”
It is understood that an internal investigation into claims against Walker was not upheld, and no misconduct was found.
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Writing on his social media pages, Walker said: “Channel 5 and ITN have reached an agreement with the claimant. 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.
“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.”
A spokesperson for ITN said: “We continue to deny these claims in full, and we are glad this matter has been resolved.”
A Channel 5 spokesperson said: “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.”
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