Insiders have claimed there was a ‘dynamic shift’ at Channel 5 when presenter Dan Walker joined the team, as he and former colleague Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije prepare to meet at their employment tribunal.
Earlier this month it was confirmed that Channel 5 News presenter Dan Walker was set to appear at an employment tribunal following allegations of sexism, misogyny, and workplace bullying made by his former co-host Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije.
Now, as proceedings get underway, a source close to the action has claimed that there was a distinct change in atmosphere on set between the two and what happened in the lead up to the fall out.
Vanderpuije, 47, has brought claims against Walker, ITN (which produces Channel 5 News) and owner Paramount, alleging sexism, misogyny against a Black woman and workplace bullying. The claims are denied in full.
The pair previously co-presented the programme after Walker, 49, joined the channel in 2022 from BBC Breakfast, while Vanderpuije had been with Channel 5 since 2018.
Sources have claimed that while the newsroom had previously been seen as a positive working environment, tensions developed following Walker’s arrival.
An insider told the Daily Mail: “Things changed when Dan Walker came in. The dynamic shifted.” It is understood the two presenters initially got on well, appearing together at events and on social media, but that their working relationship later deteriorated.
Vanderpuije left Channel 5 in 2023 after five years at the broadcaster, with reports at the time suggesting her departure was sudden.
The tribunal, which is expected to last several days, will examine her claims in detail, including allegations that she raised concerns about a toxic workplace culture. Her legal team has previously stated she made protected disclosures relating to “racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying” within the newsroom.
Walker denies all allegations. He has previously said: “That was fully investigated and I was entirely vindicated by an independent inquiry.”
An internal investigation carried out in 2024 concluded there was insufficient evidence to uphold the complaints, according to sources familiar with the process. Walker is understood to have fully cooperated with that inquiry.
However, Vanderpuije’s legal team argues the internal process did not fully address her concerns, which are now being considered as part of the tribunal.
Vanderpuije’s lawyer Jonathan Coad, issued a statement on her behalf, which read: “Claudia-Liza claims that she was the victim of a sham redundancy because as a whistleblower she made protected disclosures alleging that a toxic culture of racism, sexism, misogyny and bullying existed in the Channel 5 Newsroom, and that its editorial content reflected its racist culture.
“In her claims, she alleges that ITN and Channel 5 have tried to cover up the racist culture at Channel 5 News, which they have tolerated despite this breaching their statutory obligations. Claudia-Liza is constrained for legal reasons from saying anything further about her claims until the trial.”
In the lead up to her departure, Vanderpuije experienced significant personal challenges, including the death of her mother and the breakdown of her marriage. Sources claim these events had an impact on her, both personally and professionally.
It has also been suggested that differences in pay between the two presenters may form part of the wider context examined during proceedings, although this is not a central claim in the case.
Since leaving Channel 5, Vanderpuije has kept a relatively low profile.
Walker, a married father of three, remains a prominent figure on Channel 5 News and has received public backing from colleagues and industry figures, with sources saying a number of character witness statements have been prepared in his support.
ITN has denied the claims and said the matter will be addressed through the tribunal process. Both Walker and Vanderpuije have declined to comment further while proceedings are ongoing. The hearing continues.
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