Ex-Channel 5 News Host Withdraws Allegations Against Dan Walker

Mutual Agreement Ends Legal Dispute

A past presenter of Channel 5 News, Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, has decided to abandon her legal claims against Dan Walker, her former co-host, following a “mutual agreement” with ITN and the broadcaster. The deal was reached after Vanderpuije, who shared the show with Walker from 2022 to 2023, initially alleged racial and gender-based discrimination, harassment, and breach of contract.

“Claudia-Liza fully withdraws her allegations relating to Dan Walker and does not plan to revisit them,” her legal team confirmed. The agreement led to the tribunal case being dismissed by the judge.

Walker expressed relief that the dispute was resolved, though he emphasized his belief in his own innocence. “I firmly feel that I should never have been pulled into this; however, I was ready to defend the allegations at the tribunal,” he stated.

The case, which was set for an employment tribunal in London, did not disclose specific terms. ITN and Channel 5, the parent company of the channel, agreed to pay Vanderpuije an undisclosed sum in exchange for her withdrawing the claim. No admission of fault was made by the employers.

Vanderpuije, a former BBC Breakfast and Football Focus anchor, began working with Walker in 2022. She left the station in 2024. In a statement, ITN reaffirmed its denial of the accusations, while a Channel 5 representative echoed this, adding they were satisfied with the resolution.