Dan Walker’s former co-anchor at Channel 5, Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije, has accused the broadcaster of a ‘toxic culture’ in the newsroom.
The 49-year-old Strictly Come Dancing star has been named in the claims, along with ITN, which makes Channel 5 News, and Channel 5 owner Paramount.
The former BBC Breakfast presenter is accused of sexism, misogyny and bullying by Vanderpuije. He denies all the allegations.
Walker will now face Vanderpuije, 47, at an employment tribunal hearing in London next week.
Her lawyer Jonathan Coad, who has previously represented Victoria Beckham, Holly Willoughby and Ant and Dec, issued a statement on her behalf.
It reads: ‘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.’
ITN denies the allegations, saying: ‘This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.’
Walker is said to have compiled over 50 character witness statements from famous footballers, Olympians, BBC journalists and presenters.
There have been conflicting reports over whether Vanderpuije sought to settle the claim with ITN prior to this upcoming hearing.
Her lawyer Coad told The Times: ‘No figure has yet been stipulated as the forthcoming trial will only determine whether her claims should be upheld, and not what compensation she should receive.
‘All settlement discussions have been instigated by the respondents who have made multiple offers of settlement, all of which Claudia-Liza has rejected.’
In 2024 ITV conducted an investigation, overseen by an HR consultant, into Walker after Vanderpuije’s claims. He has said he was ‘entirely vindicated’ in the findings.
Who is Claudia–Liza Vanderpuije?
Vanderpuije left Channel 5 in 2023 after five years, with her final year spent presenting alongside Walker, after he joined in a high-profile move from the BBC.
The newsreader started her career in radio and has previously worked at the BBC, Press Association and Sky.
She began presenting on Channel 5 in 2018, fronting instalments of the weeknight news, as well as guest hosting on The Wright Stuff and Jeremy Vine’s show in his absence. Since leaving the broadcaster, she has continued to present on weekends on TalkRADIO.
In December 2024, she shared a quote from Blake Lively regarding her ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us co-star Just Baldoni. Vanderpuije wrote in the caption: ‘Never in my wildest nightmares did I think I would be living the same life, speaking EXACTLY the same words as a Hollywood actress.
‘It is deeply upsetting to see how women are silenced and our names smeared simply because we speak out protecting others and calling out wrongdoing.’
Her legal team has told The Sun she has been ‘the victim of vile social media abuse’ since reports of the tribunal emerged.
Metro contacted ITN, Channel 5 and Dan Walker’s representatives for comment.
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