A timeline of events leading up to Dan Wootton’s suspension from MailOnline

Dan Wootton is a New Zealand and British journalist and has found himself in the middle of controversy following allegations of inappropriate and criminal conduct, which he has denied.

The journalist has since had his column on MailOnline pause as the publication investigates the allegations. Prior to this, rumours began to spread about the journalist on social media before he commented publicly on them during a segment on GB News.

Here is a timeline of events leading up to his suspension from MailOnline.

July 2023 – Byline Times accused Dan Wootton of inappropriate and criminal conduct

In July 2023, allegations were published in ByLine Times of inappropriate and criminal conduct against Dan Wootton. It has been alleged the journalist used the alias Martin Branning to cat fish former colleagues and oversaw a culture of sexual harassment while working at The Sun.

Dan Wootton has denied all allegations, saying they were “untrue”.

ByLine Times said they had taken their evidence to the Metropolitan Police.

A spokesperson told Sky News: “In June 2023, the Metropolitan Police was contacted with regards to allegations of sexual offences committed by a man.

“Officers are assessing information to establish whether any criminal offence has taken place.”

The Metropolitan Police said there is currently no active investigation.

July 18th 2023 – Dan Wootton told GB News viewers that claims about him were a ‘smear campaign’

During his daily GB News show, Dan Wootton Tonight, the journalist claimed he was the victim of a “smear campaign”.

He began: “As a journalist I feel uncomfortable being the story, but I’ve always promised you that this show has no spin and no bias and censorship, so I owe it to you to address this.”

The 40-year-old said he felt he had to address the allegations, following a report by ByLine Times.

“I have been the target of a smear campaign by nefarious players with an axe to grind,” he said in reference to the claims made against him.

He added: “I have made errors of judgement in the past, but the criminal allegations made against me are simply untrue.”

He went on to say he could spend his entire show addressing the allegations but “on the advice” of his lawyers, he was unable to comment further.

Many of the allegations are said to have taken place while Wootton was working at The Sun. Parent company News UK said: ” We are looking into the allegations made in recent days. We are not able to make any further comment at this stage.”

July 2023 – Dan Wootton launched a crowdfunder to pay for his legal fees

A crowdfunding page was launched following his statement, asking for donations to help pay legal bills. The page, which has a goal of £150,000, has so far reached £38,151.

“I am advised that I have a good case for legal action, and Byline is already on notice of my legal complaint,” the website reads.

“But I need your help to fight the false allegations and innuendo that is being spouted on social media to cancel someone with political views that challenge the orthodoxy.”

July 2023 – News UK hired an external law film to investigate the claims against Wootton

Parent company of The Sun, News UK, has hired an external law firm to investigate claims Wootton targeted current and former employees at The Sun with offers of money in return for explicit images.

Following a query from MPs, editor Victoria Newton 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.”

August 2023 – MailOnline confirmed Wootton would not be working for them ‘for the foreseeable future’

On Thursday 3rd August, it was confirmed Dan Wootton had been suspended by MailOnline following the allegations. The GB News presenter used to write a twice-weekly column for the publication since 2021 but it has not appeared since the allegations were made.

A spokesperson for DMG media, the parent company of MailOnline, confirmed Dan Wootton would not be working for them for the foreseeable future. The statement read: “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 under way at the media group which employed him during the relevant period. In the meantime, his freelance column with MailOnline has been paused.”

August 2023 – Wootton’s lawyer said the journalist denies many of the allegations

Dan Wootton’s lawyer told The Guardian that the journalist denies many of the allegations that have been made against him.

The lawyer said: “For the avoidance of further doubt, our client did not at any time contact current or former colleagues at the Sun with offers of money in return for sexually explicit images, he did not engage in inappropriate behaviour in the workplace, and he did not misuse News UK funds.”

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Featured image credit via GB News.