The dan walker allegations tied to a Channel 5 tribunal were withdrawn after a settlement was reached just hours before proceedings were due to begin. The dispute involved former co-presenter Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, Channel 5, and ITN, and it ended with no admission of liability from any party. An undisclosed sum was paid as part of the agreement, and the case that had been set for a five-week hearing was brought to an abrupt close.
Settlement reached as hearing was about to begin
The agreement was reached at the last minute after intense behind-the-scenes negotiations, ending a high-profile case that had centred on claims of sexism, bullying and misogyny in the Channel 5 newsroom. Ms Vanderpuije, 47, has now fully withdrawn her claims against Mr Walker, 49, after a mutual agreement with ITN and Channel 5.
The settlement means the tribunal will not move forward as planned. Mr Walker had consistently denied all accusations throughout the dispute, while the broadcaster and ITN had rejected the allegations in full and prepared for what was expected to be an extensive defence.
One key part of the case was the claim that Ms Vanderpuije had raised protected disclosures as a whistleblower concerning alleged racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying. Her legal team had argued that she faced a sham redundancy after speaking out, and that the newsroom environment had been toxic.
Dan Walker allegations formally withdrawn
A spokesperson for Ms Vanderpuije said she can confirm a mutual agreement has been reached with ITN and Channel 5 in respect of the matters subject to tribunal proceedings. The statement added that she fully withdraws her allegations relating to Dan Walker and does not intend to repeat or pursue them.
The dan walker allegations had become a central part of the wider dispute, but the withdrawal now removes them from the tribunal process entirely. The resolution also means there will be no findings from the planned hearing on the claims as originally set out.
Jonathan Coad, Ms Vanderpuije’s lawyer, had previously said she was subjected to a sham redundancy after raising protected disclosures. He also said the case involved allegations about a racist culture and possible breaches of the Equality Act 2010 and Ofcom licence obligations.
What the case had been built around
The proceedings had named ITN’s chief executive Rachel Corp as a respondent. Ms Vanderpuije left Channel 5 in 2024 after working alongside Mr Walker for about one year, from 2022 to 2023.
Mr Walker, Channel 5 and ITN had prepared for the hearing with a wide defence file, including more than 50 character witness statements from footballers, Olympians, journalists and fellow broadcasters. That preparation now stands as the backdrop to a case that ended before evidence was heard in public.
For now, the immediate question is whether the settlement closes the matter completely or whether further details emerge about the agreement struck between the parties. What is clear is that the dan walker allegations have been formally withdrawn, and the Channel 5 tribunal battle has been halted before it could begin.
