TV presenter withdraws claims against Dan Walker after ‘mutual agreement’ with Channel 5

Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije has fully withdrawn allegations relating to her former co-host, her lawyers say

The TV presenter Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije has withdrawn claims against her former Channel 5 News co-host Dan Walker after reaching a “mutual agreement” with the broadcaster and ITN.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 on grounds of race and sex, and breach of contract.

The case was to be heard at a London employment tribunal.

Last week Vanderpuije’s lawyer, Jonathan Coad, said her case was centred on her 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”.

Walker had reportedly been set to present more than 50 character witness statements, including from sports stars, BBC journalists, TV presenters and other colleagues.

On Friday, 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.”

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made and are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that all the allegations relating to Dan Walker have been withdrawn.”

An ITN spokesperson: “We continue to deny these claims in full, and we are glad this matter has been resolved.”

Walker, 49, a former BBC Breakfast host and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, was listed as a respondent in the claims alongside Channel 5 and ITN – including the ITN chief executive, Rachel Corp – and Paramount Global, which owns Channel 5.

He had been due to appear at an employment tribunal beginning on Monday, but on Friday it was confirmed an agreement had been reached.

In a minute-long hearing, the employment judge Emma Webster dismissed all the claims.

Vanderpuije, 47, had also filed a claim of suffering a detriment or dismissal due to exercising rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act – also known as whistleblowing. She left Channel 5 News in 2024.

In a statement on Instagram, Walker said he hoped Vanderpuije “finds peace” as the mutual agreement was reached.

Walker posted the written statement in a series of images on Instagram, saying: “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.”