TV presenter Dan Walker is facing a four day employment tribunal after a former Channel 5 News co-host made allegations of sexist and racial discrimination in the workplace
Dan Walker will today attend an employment tribunal after a former Channel 5 News co-host alleges sexist and racial discrimination(Image: Getty Images)
TV presenter Dan Walker is facing an employment tribunal over allegations of sexism, misogyny, and workplace bullying.
The allegations were brought forward by his ex co-host Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije. Walker, 49, who joined Channel 5 News in April 2022, was named as a respondent in the case alongside ITN, which produces the programme, and Channel 5’s parent company, Paramount.
Ms Vanderpuije, 47, who left Channel 5 in 2024 after six years on the programme, brought the claims following her time working alongside Walker during her final year at the broadcaster.
Today Walker will appear at London Tribunals Centre to deny the claims against him in what is expected to be a four day hearing.
Former Channel 5 News co-host Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije arrives at the industrial tribunal in London today.
The presenter is bringing a case against Channel 5 presenter and former co-presenter Dan Walker.
Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije arrives at an industrial tribunal in London today(Image: Ian Vogler / Daily Mirror)
While Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije is best known for her work on Channel 5, viewers may also recognise her from her additional hosting roles.
In June 2021 Claudia became a weekend presenter on Talkradio having previously acted as a stand-in. Her radio experience also includes a stint at TimeFM in Romford.
She joined ITN News as an assistant to the news editor and then the Press Association. Claudia’s first presenting job was for VOX Africa before landing jobs at ITV and the BBC. She’s also worked for London Live and Sky News.
She joined 5 News as a presenter in 2018 and stepped in as host of The Wright Stuff after Matthew Wright exited the show. She’s also covered for Jeremy Vine.
Broadcaster Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije. has filed claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment on grounds of race and sex, and breach of contract.
She has also filed a claim of suffering a detriment or dismissal due to exercising rights under the Public Interest Disclosure Act – also known as whistleblowing.
Vanderpuije co-hosted Channel 5 News with Walker for a year between 2022 and 2023. ITN, which makes Channel 5 News, and Channel 5’s owner Paramount are also named as respondents to Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije’s claim, her lawyer said.
Walker, a former BBC Breakfast host and Strictly Come Dancing contestant who now presents the weekday breakfast show on Classic FM, is listed as a respondent alongside Channel 5 and ITN – including ITN CEO Rachel Corp – and Paramount Global, which owns Channel 5.
It is understood that an internal investigation into claims against Walker was not upheld and no misconduct was found.
An ITN spokesperson said: “This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.”
On the morning of day one of the tribunal, Walker posted to X about his ‘exciting’ day ahead – but made no mention of his hearing.
He told followers: “Good morning. Exciting day today… ClassicFM this morning and then off to the Royal Albert Hall to present Classic FM Live alongside the brilliant Myleene Klass. Can’t wait but that does mean no Channel 5 News for me tonight. You can still join the guys at 5 on 5 and I will be back on the telly tomorrow. Have a cracking Monday.”
Sue Barker, who worked with Dan Walker at BBC Sport, said she believes he is “one of the nicest presenters” she has worked with ahead of the tribunal.
Barker said she was happy to speak out publicly and give him ‘100 per cent’ of her support.
Sue told The Sun: “I don’t feel I’m putting my head above the parapet speaking up for Dan. I know he’d do the same. 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. When I read what was in the papers, I was happy to contact him and give 100 per cent support. I told him to stay strong and that I would help in any way I could.”
Sue Barker said she was happy to speak up and defend Walker(Image: (Image: BBC))
It is understood that a previous internal investigation into claims against Walker was not upheld and no misconduct was found.
Speaking last year to The Telegraph, Walker said: “I haven’t really talked about it, but that was fully investigated and everything was completely incorrect and I was entirely vindicated by an independent inquiry. So yeah, that’s not nice, but you hold on to what you know the truth is and ultimately the truth is the important thing.”
The father-of-three finished: “I know I’m not that person, so… And yeah there’s days you worry about that but also you know that that’s a picture you don’t recognise, and nobody you’ve ever worked with recognises.
Ms Vanderpuije claims that she was the victim of a “sham redundancy” due to a whistleblower she made, protecting disclusers, alleging that a toxic culture of racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying took place in the Channel 5 Newsroom. She also claims that their editorial content reflected its “racist culture”.
Ms Vanderpuije, represented by lawyer Jonathan Coad, who previously represented Philip Schofield, has tried to settle the complaint twice, but has been turned down.
Vanderpuije also reportedly asked her Instagram followers to message her two weeks ago if they wanted to “know more about the allegations’” .
Dan Walker and Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije(Image: Channel 5 )
Dan Walker has strongly denied the allegations against him. An ITN Spokesperson previously told the Mirror: “This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.”
An insider explained that Dan will be at the tribunal later this month to clear his name, and added that there will be “tonnes of witness statements” to defend his character. “He has been absolutely stunned with the amount of people willing to support him. He has been stunned and actually very upset to be accused of such things.”
It is understood that more than 50 character witness statements, which include footballers, Olympians, BBC journalists and presenters, and other colleagues, have been submitted in support of Walker.
