Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije Withdraws Discrimination Claims Against Dan Walker, ITN, and Channel 5

Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, previously a co-host on Channel 5 News, has retracted allegations of unfair dismissal, discrimination on grounds of race and sex, harassment, and breach of contract. The claims, lodged against ITN and Channel 5, also encompassed specific allegations against her former co-presenter, Dan Walker.

Lawyers representing Ms Vanderpuije confirmed 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.”

Mr Walker stated on Friday, “Channel 5 and ITN have reached an agreement with the claimant. 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 which were levelled at me.”

The terms of the settlement, which led to the formal dismissal of the case by an employment tribunal judge in London, have not been disclosed publicly. ITN and Channel 5 confirmed they agreed to pay Ms Vanderpuije an undisclosed sum for the withdrawal of her tribunal claims, without admitting liability for the allegations.

Ms Vanderpuije co-hosted a programme with Mr Walker for a year from 2022. She departed Channel 5 News in 2024. An ITN statement affirmed, “We continue to deny these claims in full, and we are glad this matter has been resolved.” A Channel 5 spokesperson echoed this, stating, “We strongly reject the claims that were made and are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that all the allegations relating to Dan Walker have been withdrawn.”