Dan Wootton MailOnline column suspended amid investigation into GB News host’s personal conduct - latest

Allegations the MailOnline columnist used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual images are being investigated

Dan Wootton addresses 'smear campaign' allegations

MailOnline has suspended Dan Wootton’s column while allegations he used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual images are investigated.

The GB News presenter, who has written a regular column for MailOnline since 2021, claims to be the victim of a “witch hunt” after being accused of using fake online identities to trick men into sending him explicit images for tens of thousands of pounds.

Wootton has denied any criminal wrongdoing, although he has admitted to “errors of judgment in the past”.

The broadcaster, who hosted the Dan Wootton Tonight programme on GB News as scheduled on Thursday night without reference to the suspension, dismissed the allegations on his show last month as “simply untrue” and a “campaign to destroy my life”.

The allegations, first published last month by independent outlet Byline Times, include claims about alleged behaviour while he edited The Sun‘s Bizarre column, as well as claims of payments for explicit images and videos.

Following the claims, the publishers of MailOnline and his previous employers at The Sun said they were looking into allegations made against the New Zealand-born star.

[4 August 2023 11:00 · Sam Rkaina]

Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman requested details of Sun investigation

Last month, Culture, Media and Sport Committee chairwoman Dame Caroline Dinenage wrote to The Sun requesting details of the newspaper’s investigation into Wootton.

The Sun’s editor Victoria Newton issued a letter in response which said: “We take these allegations seriously but we are in no position to comment further and indeed we make no commitment to make any further comment depending on the outcome of our investigation.”

During his time at The Sun, Wootton was best known for breaking stories including Megxit – the withdrawal of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from royal duties.

In January 2021, he announced he would be leaving his job as executive editor at the tabloid, where he had previously edited The Sun’s Bizarre column.

Wootton also hosts his own show on GB News, titled Dan Wootton Tonight, which explores daily news stories and hosts interviews.

He was showbiz editor at the now-defunct News of the World and previously appeared on ITV’s Lorraine as the showbiz correspondent.

Dame Caroline Dinenage (PA Media)

[4 August 2023 10:40 · Sam Rkaina]

Dan Wootton’s MailOnline column paused as publication investigates allegations

GB News presenter Dan Wootton’s MailOnline column has been paused while the publication investigates allegations he used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual material.

Wootton has written a regular column for the online outlet since 2021, with his last article published on June 29.

Last month, the TV presenter and columnist used his self-titled GB News programme to admit he had made “errors of judgment” in the past but branded the “criminal allegations” as “simply untrue”.

Following the claims, the publishers of MailOnline and his previous employers at The Sun newspaper said they were looking into allegations made against the New Zealand-born star.

A spokesperson for DMG Media, which publishes MailOnline, told the PA news agency: “We are continuing to consider a series of allegations which Dan Wootton – who has written columns for MailOnline since 2021 as one of several outside freelance contributors – has strenuously denied.

“The allegations are obviously serious but also complex and historic and there is an independent investigation underway at the media group which employed him during the relevant period.

“In the meantime, his freelance column with MailOnline has been paused.”

GB News presenter Dan Wootton (PA Media)