Dan Walker to appear at tribunal as ex co-host brings bullying claim

Noor NanjiCulture correspondent
News imageBBC Dan Walker in 2017BBC

TV presenter Dan Walker is to appear at an employment tribunal after his former Channel 5 News co-host brought a case alleging she had faced bullying.

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.

According to The Mail on Sunday, which first reported the story, the former BBC Breakfast host is also accused of sexism and misogyny.

An ITN spokesperson told BBC News the claim is "denied in full". Walker and Paramount have been approached for comment.

The Mail on Sunday, citing a source, reports that Walker denies the allegations and has more than 50 character witness statements.

It is understood that a previous internal investigation into claims against Walker was not upheld and no misconduct was found.

The trial will begin in London on 20 April and is listed for five weeks, according to Vanderpuije's lawer Jonathan Coad.

Walker, who also previously appeared on Strictly Come Dancing, joined Vanderpuije as a co-host on Channel 5 News in 2022. Vanderpuije left Channel 5 News in 2024.

ITN CEO Rachel Corp is also listed as a respondent to the claim.

An ITN spokesperson said: "This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process."