Dan Walker backed by Sue Barker who says he is the ‘most courteous and hard-working presenter’ ahead of facing former colleague Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije at tribunal over accusations of sexism, misogyny and bullying

by

Broadcaster Sue Barker is supporting Dan Walker after his former Channel 5 News colleague, Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, accused him of sexism, mistreatment of women, and bullying.

Next week, Walker will go up against his former colleague, 47-year-old Vanderpuije, in a five-week employment tribunal hearing in London.

Ms. Vanderpuije is pursuing claims against a 49-year-old individual, as well as ITN (the producer of Channel 5 News) and Paramount, the company that owns Channel 5.

The former BBC Breakfast host denies all the allegations.

Walker, a father of three and a committed Christian, has collected over 50 letters of support from people who know him well – including athletes, Olympic competitors, BBC staff, and coworkers.

And now legendary broadcaster Sue Barker has now publicly backed her former BBC Sport colleague.

In an interview with The Sun, the former host of A Question of Sport explained that he doesn’t see himself as taking a risk by publicly supporting Dan, stating he believes Dan would reciprocate the support.

I’ve worked with him on numerous broadcasts, and he’s consistently one of the kindest, most respectful, and diligent presenters I know.

I was pleased to reach out to him after reading the Sunday papers and offer my full support. I encouraged him to remain strong and assured him I’d help however possible.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m happy to share that in April 2024, a thorough investigation cleared Walker of all accusations of serious wrongdoing at work. It was a complete exoneration – meaning he was found to have done nothing wrong, and the matter is officially closed. It’s always good to see a fair resolution like this.

People involved in the investigation say there wasn’t enough proof to back up the allegations, and former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant Walker fully cooperated with the inquiry.

This investigation stemmed from complaints made by Ms. Vanderpuije, but those complaints were not substantiated.

According to a source, Dan strongly refutes accusations of sexism, misogyny, racism, or bullying, which have been circulating for several years.

‘Nobody wants this but he will be there to tell the judge the truth.

Many people will be providing statements about what Dan is like as a person. He’s been overwhelmed by the incredible support he’s received.

‘He has been stunned and actually very upset to be accused of such things.’

A recent report alleges that Vanderpuije shared email conversations while she was barred from the newsroom following her 2024 complaint. However, she lost the backing of most coworkers, who continue to support Walker.

According to The Times, the argument escalated to the point where ITN’s CEO, Rachel Corp, barred Vanderpuije from entering the newsroom.

‘Vanderpuije responded by circulating their exchange of emails to scores of her colleagues.’ 

In February 2024, while investigating her concerns and ongoing discussions about her job ending, ITN offered the newsreader paid leave, according to a report in The Times.

According to a source, after returning to her desk, she was sent home because the company had a responsibility to protect her and others. Any support she had within the organization disappeared when she publicly mentioned Dan Walker during the employment tribunal.

People who work with him see him as a genuinely kind person. He’s always looking out for his colleagues, especially those who are newer to the team. He’s a refreshing contrast to some of the more self-centered personalities you often see on television. While he’s benefited from Claudia-Liza’s reduced role, it’s unfortunate that his name has come up in this situation.

A spokesperson for Claudia Vanderpuije stated that she is unable to discuss her accusations publicly right now due to legal restrictions. She will fully present her claims, along with evidence, during the trial through her lawyer, and then will address any criticisms made by the other parties involved, which have appeared in the media.

Representatives for Walker and ITN have been contacted by Daily Mail for comment.

Following her departure from Channel 5 in 2024 after more than five years as a news presenter – including the last year working alongside former BBC presenter Walker, 49, who joined the channel in 2023 – Ms. Vanderpuije has made a series of claims.

According to a source at ITN who spoke with The Times, hiring Dan signaled that the presenter would play a supporting role and wouldn’t be treated as an equal. This insider said it’s a common practice in television news to position someone this way from the start.

On Sunday, Jonathan Coad, the lawyer for Ms. Vanderpuije, released a statement speaking for her. Coad previously represented Phillip Schofield, a former BBC presenter who faced controversy.

Claudia-Liza believes she was unfairly made redundant after reporting concerns about a harmful work environment at Channel 5 Newsroom. She claims she raised issues about racism, sexism, bullying, and a generally toxic culture, and that these problems were reflected in the news content. She reported these concerns as a whistleblower, meaning she was legally protected for doing so.

As a lifestyle and media expert, I’ve been following this case closely. What’s being alleged is really concerning – that both ITN and Channel 5 actively tried to hide a deeply problematic, racist environment within Channel 5 News. Apparently, they were aware of this culture for some time, but didn’t address it, which, according to the claims, is a direct violation of their legal responsibilities. It’s a serious situation and highlights the need for truly inclusive workplaces.

Because of the upcoming trial, Claudia-Liza isn’t allowed to discuss her claims publicly at this time.

Read More

2026-04-18 16:49