Former BBC newsreader Dan Walker is set to appear at an employment tribunal later this month following allegations made by his former co-host Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije
Presenter Dan Walker is set to appear at an employment tribunal later this month following allegations of sexism, misogyny, and workplace bullying.
The former BBC Breakfast host is due to face his former Channel 5 News co-anchor, Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, at a hearing in London starting on 20 April. Proceedings are expected to last up to four days.
Walker, 49, who joined Channel 5 News in April 2022, is 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 2023 after five years on the programme, has brought the claims following her time working alongside Walker during her final year at the broadcaster.
Walker has strongly denied the allegations. An ITN Spokesperson told the Mirror: “This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.”
The 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 Dan’s character.
They finished: “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, that include footballers, Olympians, BBC journalists and presenters, and other colleagues, have been submitted in support of Walker.
Ms Vanderpuije is being represented by lawyer Jonathan Coad, who previously represented Philip Schofield, and 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’” .
Walker was previously subject to an internal workplace investigation into alleged misconduct, this was not upheld and no misconduct was found. Sources familiar with the inquiry said there was insufficient evidence to uphold the complaints and that Walker co-operated fully.
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.”
The Mirror has approached representatives for Walker and Vanderpuije for comment.
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