Former Channel 5 Presenter Withdraws Claims Against Dan Walker
A former Channel 5 News presenter has withdrawn her claims against Dan Walker, her co-host at the channel, following a "mutual agreement" reached with the broadcaster, owned by Paramount, and ITN.
Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, who co-hosted a show with Walker for a year between 2022 and 2023, had filed claims alleging unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment based on race and sex, as well as breach of contract.
Her legal representatives stated:
"We 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."
Dan Walker Responds to Withdrawal of Claims
Dan Walker commented on the development 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."
The case was scheduled to be heard at an employment tribunal in London, but the terms of the settlement were not disclosed publicly.
Upon notification of the agreement, the presiding judge formally concluded the case by dismissing the claim.
Settlement Details and Background
ITN and Channel 5, Walker's employers, agreed to pay Vanderpuije, aged 47, an undisclosed sum to withdraw her tribunal claim, with no admission of liability.
Walker, previously a presenter for BBC Breakfast and Football Focus, joined Vanderpuije as a co-host on Channel 5 News in 2022. Vanderpuije departed from Channel 5 News in 2024.
Walker expressed gratitude towards colleagues who supported him during the process:
"I will be forever grateful to those who were kind enough to go on the record with their accounts of working alongside me."
Statements from ITN and Channel 5
A statement from ITN read:
"We continue to deny these claims in full, and we are glad this matter has been resolved."
A spokesperson for Channel 5 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made and are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that all the allegations relating to Dan Walker have been withdrawn."
