21 February 2024 , 15:54
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Dan Wootton has revealed no further action will be taken by the Metropolitan and Scottish Police following investigations into alleged criminal behaviour that he vehemently denied.
In July, the suspended GB News host told viewers he had made "errors of judgement" but strongly denied any criminality. The allegations, which were first reported by the Byline Times, include using fake online identities and offering money to others for explicit material of themselves.
In a statement, he said: "I was brought up to trust in the English legal system; to believe in freedom, due process, natural justice and the rule of law – the right of every man or woman to a fair trial, and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law."
Dan was suspended from GB News last September over a separate incident (GB News)He continued: "The accusations made against me were completely spurious – lies designed to destroy my career where complainants were actuated by malice. Well six months on, I have now been completely cleared in two investigations by the Metropolitan and Scottish Police, who have confirmed they will be taking no further action.
"While I knew this would always be the outcome, the process is now the punishment, with social media acting as the executioner. Margaret Thatcher once said that if you ever get trial by media, or guilt by accusation, that day freedom dies.
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"She was right. It is high time that all of our ancient rights were once again upheld, chief among them the right to be presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. If it falls to me to be the champion of those rights, then so be it. It is a fight I am more than willing to take up, not just for me but for all of us."
Allegations were made against the suspended GB News presenter by Byline Times, which included claims of criminal behaviour of a "sexual nature" last summer. The presenter said in a statement at the time he'd "errors of judgement", but denied all forms of criminality.
A complaint was made to the Metropolitan Police and an investigation was carried out but he was never arrested or charged. In September, 2023, GB News said it was continuing to "monitor" allegations against presenter Dan but that they had not been "proved by an independent body".
On his show on July 19, Dan claimed he was the victim of a "witch hunt" by "nefarious players". It comes after an episode of Dan Wootton tonight became the most complained about show of 2023, receiving almost 9,000 complaints.
Dan was suspended and co-star Laurence Fox was sacked from the channel following the latter's "misogynistic" comments about journalist Ava Adams broadcast live on GB News. Both Dan and Laurence later issued an apology to Ava.