Dan Walker's former Channel 5 News co-host has withdrawn bullying and misogyny claims against him after a mutual agreement was reached. The broadcaster, who denied all allegations, expressed hope that his former colleague Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije 'finds peace'.
Vanderpuije reached an agreement with ITN and Channel 5, withdrawing allegations made against Walker, a statement from her lawyers confirmed. The 47-year-old had filed claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and harassment on grounds of race and sex, and breach of contract.
Walker, a former BBC Breakfast host and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, was listed as a respondent alongside Channel 5, ITN, ITN CEO Rachel Corp, and Paramount Global. In a statement on Instagram, Walker said: 'I firmly feel that I should never have been pulled into this; however, I was fully prepared to go to tribunal and defend the allegations.'
The 49-year-old, who now presents the weekday breakfast show on Classic FM, had been due to appear at an employment tribunal on Monday, but on Friday it was confirmed an agreement had been reached. Employment judge Emma Webster dismissed all claims in a minute-long hearing.
A statement from Vanderpuije's lawyers said: 'Claudia-Liza fully withdraws her allegations relating to Dan Walker and does not intend to repeat or pursue them.' ITN and Channel 5 also rejected the claims and welcomed the resolution.
