Broadcaster Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije has withdrawn her claims against former co-host Dan Walker after reaching a “mutual agreement” with ITN and Channel 5, her lawyers have confirmed.
Ms Vanderpuije, 47, who co-presented the Channel 5 News programme with Mr Walker from 2022, had lodged claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination on grounds of race and sex, harassment, and breach of contract.
She had also filed a claim of suffering detriment or dismissal under the Public Interest Disclosure Act, commonly known as whistleblowing.
Her lawyer, Jonathan Coad, told the Daily Mail earlier this month: “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.”
Mr Walker, 49, was listed as a respondent in the proceedings alongside Channel 5, ITN – including its CEO Rachel Corp – and Paramount Global, which owns the channel.
The agreement was reached ahead of an employment tribunal scheduled to begin on Monday. On Friday, employment judge Emma Webster formally dismissed all claims during a minute-long hearing.
A statement from Ms Vanderpuije’s lawyers confirmed: “Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije can confirm that a mutual agreement has been reached with ITN and Channel 5 in respect of the matters subject to tribunal proceedings.
“Claudia-Liza fully withdraws her allegations relating to Dan Walker and does not intend to repeat or pursue them.”
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An ITN spokesperson added: “We continue to deny these claims in full, and we are glad this matter has been resolved.”
Ms Vanderpuije left Channel 5 News in 2024.
Mr Walker, a well-known figure from his time as a BBC Breakfast host and Strictly Come Dancing contestant, now presents the weekday breakfast show on Classic FM.
