Channel 5 has a 'racist culture,' claims the woman who has accused presenter Dan Walker of sexism, misogyny and bullying.

Claudia-Liza Vanderpuije, 47, will face her former co-anchor Dan Walker at a four-day employment tribunal hearing in London next week.

Walker, 49, is named as a respondent to Ms Vanderpuije's claims, along with ITN, which makes Channel 5 News, and Channel 5 owner Paramount.

The former BBC Breakfast host denies all the allegations.

On Sunday, Ms Vanderpuije's lawyer Jonathan Coad, who represented disgraced BBC presenter Phillip Schofield, issued a statement on her behalf.

It read: '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.'

Ms Vanderpuije's claims come after she departed Channel 5 in 2023 after five years presenting their news programme – the last 12 months with Walker.

The married father of three profusely denies the allegations and has gathered more than 50 character witness statements from footballers, Olympians, BBC journalists and presenters, and other colleagues.

A source told The Mail on Sunday: 'Dan absolutely denies any sexism, misogyny, racism or bullying. It has been hanging over him for some years now.

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

'There will be tons of witness statements which will talk to Dan's character. He has been absolutely stunned with the amount of people willing to support him. 

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

In April 2024, Walker – a devout Christian – was 'completely exonerated' following a workplace probe into 'serious misconduct.'

Sources familiar with the inquiry said there was a lack of evidence to support the claims and former Strictly star Walker had co-operated fully. 

It is understood this probe related to Ms Vanderpuije's complaints against him, but none was upheld.

Walker said in 2024: 'That was fully investigated and I was entirely vindicated by an independent inquiry.'

Both Walker and Ms Vanderpuije declined to comment, while ITN said: 'This claim, which is denied in full, will be addressed through the tribunal process.'