28 September 2023 , 13:15
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Dan Wootton's contract with the MailOnline has been terminated a day after he was suspended from GB News.
In a statement, a spokesperson for DMG Media, the parent company of MailOnline, said: "Following events this week, DMG Media can confirm that Dan Wootton's freelance column with MailOnline – which had already been paused – has now been terminated, along with his contract."
Earlier this week, New Zealand-born Wootton had been slapped with a suspension from the network which is said to champion "free speech". In a statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), the network said: "GB News has suspended Dan Wootton following comments made on his programme by Laurence Fox last night. This follows our decision earlier today to formally suspend Mr Fox. We are conducting a full investigation."
During the GB News broadcast on Tuesday night, Wootton and Fox discussed Ava Evans' comments made by the former LBC producer during her appearance on BBC Politics Live on Monday, with the journalist attracting attention due to her remarks about men's mental health. Following her appearance on the BBC show, Ms Evans tweeted: "I was a little rash on my anti-minister for men comments which I do regret and am actually very interested in a brief for a minister on young me's mental health."
(PA)
He has also been suspended from GB News (Getty Images for Barclaycard Exclusive)Fox appeared on Dan Wootton Tonight on Tuesday night, during which the actor-turned-aspiring politician . During the broadcast, Fox described Ms Evans as a "little woman" and declared: "We don't need these sort of feminist 4.0" who, he said, are "pathetic and embarrassing", adding: "Who would want to shag that?"
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Initially, Wootton said he said he wanted to "reiterate his regret" over his interaction with Fox as he was seen laughing over the actor's comments. He added: "Having looked at the footage, I can see how inappropriate my reaction to his totally unacceptable remarks appears to be and want to be clear that I was in no way amused by the comments."
Just last month, Wootton was suspended from his position at MailOnline following a string of "serious allegations". The broadcaster, who wrote a column for the outlet, faced weeks of allegations including claims he paid for video footage of people carrying out sexual activities. It's also alleged he used a false name to get hold of sexually compromising images of others.
Wootton who used to work at The Sun and on ITV's Lorraine and now GB News - had allegedly used a pseudonym 'Martin Branning' to carry out his actions. This included allegedly offering thousands of pounds for videos of themselves engaging in sexual activities. Last month, while opening his show, he admitted to making "errors of judgement in the past" but went on to strenuously deny the allegations made against him.
During a live broadcast, he said he has "regrets" during the on-air statement, in which he claimed the criminal allegations being made against him are "simply untrue". In a statement, DMG Media who own MailOnline confirmed he had been suspended from his position. They said: "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."