Channel 5 and ITN settle sexism case as claims against Dan Walker dropped

Lydia Davies
Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:20:00 +0000

Dan Walker has been cleared after ITN and Channel 5 reached a last-minute settlement with his former Channel 5 News co-presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, bringing an abrupt end to a high-profile tribunal case alleging sexism, bullying and misogyny.

The dispute was resolved just hours before proceedings were due to begin, following intense behind-the-scenes negotiations.

Ms Vanderpuije, 47, has now fully withdrawn her claims against the 49-year-old presenter after a mutual agreement was reached with ITN and Channel 5.

An undisclosed sum was paid by ITN and Channel 5 as part of the settlement, with no admission of liability from any party.

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In a statement, a spokesperson for Ms Vanderpuije 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."

Mr Walker had consistently denied all accusations throughout the dispute.

He said on Friday: "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.

"I will be forever grateful to those who were kind enough to go on the record with their accounts of working alongside me."

The claims, brought by Ms Vanderpuije’s legal team, centred on what was described as a toxic working environment within the Channel 5 newsroom.

Her lawyer, Jonathan Coad, previously argued she had been subjected to a sham redundancy after raising protected disclosures as a whistleblower regarding alleged racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying.

The case also alleged that ITN and Channel 5 attempted to conceal a racist culture in breach of the Equality Act 2010 and Ofcom licence obligations.

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ITN’s chief executive Rachel Corp was named as a respondent in the proceedings.

Ms Vanderpuije left Channel 5 in 2024 after working alongside Mr Walker for approximately one year.

Mr Walker, Channel 5 and ITN had rejected the allegations in full and prepared an extensive defence ahead of the planned five-week hearing.

The presenter had assembled more than 50 character witness statements from figures including footballers, Olympians, BBC journalists and fellow broadcasters.

Among those publicly backing him was veteran presenter Sue Barker, who said she gave her "100 per cent support".

"I don't feel I'm putting my head above the parapet speaking up for Dan," she said.

"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."

A source previously said Mr Walker was "stunned and actually very upset to be accused of such things".

The tribunal had been due to begin on Monday but was delayed as legal talks intensified.

Representatives for both sides held private discussions with employment judge Emma Webber across several days, with negotiations going down to the wire.

The London Tribunals Centre remained open beyond normal hours to allow the settlement to be finalised.

Mr Walker did not attend the court at the start of proceedings, instead appearing at a Classic FM Live event at the Royal Albert Hall.

An ITN spokesperson 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."