Dan Walker Faces Employment Tribunal Over Allegations of Sexism, Misogyny, and Bullying
April 2026 – The Mail on Sunday
Former BBC Breakfast host, Dan Walker, will appear at an employment tribunal this month, where he faces serious accusations of sexism, misogyny against a Black woman, and workplace bullying. Walker, now the ex-co-anchor of Channel 5 News, is named in a claim filed by his former colleague, Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije. The hearing is scheduled to begin on April 20 in London and could span up to four days.
Walker, who joined Channel 5 in 2022 after leaving the BBC, is being named as a respondent to the allegations alongside ITN, the producer of Channel 5 News, and Paramount, the network’s parent company. The allegations come after Ms. Vanderpuije’s departure from Channel 5 in 2023, following five years as a presenter, including the last 12 months working with Walker.
Despite the grave nature of the claims, Walker, a married father of three, vehemently denies all accusations. He has gathered over 50 character witness statements from renowned footballers, Olympians, BBC journalists, and other colleagues, all attesting to his character and refuting the allegations. A source close to Walker shared exclusively with The Mail on Sunday:
“Dan absolutely denies any sexism, misogyny, racism, or bullying. It has been hanging over him for some years now. He will be at the tribunal later this month to tell the judge the truth. There will be numerous witness statements vouching for Dan’s character. He has been stunned and deeply upset by the accusations. The support he’s received has been overwhelming.”
The legal battle has already been long and tumultuous. In a bid to settle the matter, Vanderpuije’s legal team previously requested a £4 million settlement, but this offer was swiftly rejected by ITN and Paramount. Vanderpuije has also demanded up to £13 million in compensation, but that too was refused. As the case proceeds to tribunal, both parties brace for what promises to be a contentious legal battle.
Ms. Vanderpuije’s claims against Walker stem from the period they worked together, and although Walker was previously exonerated in a workplace investigation in 2024, the tribunal will re-examine the accusations. In April of that year, Walker was cleared of any wrongdoing after an independent inquiry found insufficient evidence to support the complaints.
Walker himself stated to The Daily Telegraph in 2024: “That investigation was thorough, and I was fully vindicated by an independent inquiry.”
Both Walker and Vanderpuije have declined to comment on the matter ahead of the tribunal, but ITN, representing Channel 5, has stated: “This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.”
As the tribunal looms, all eyes will be on the proceedings, as both sides prepare for a high-profile clash that could have far-reaching implications for both Walker’s career and the broader industry.
