Dan Wootton's statement in full as he's cleared after six-month investigation

21 February 2024 , 16:33

966     0

Dan Wootton's statement in full as ex GB News host cleared after six-month investigation (Image: GB NEWS)

Dan Wootton recently announced the Metropolitan and Scottish Police were taking no further action against the former GB News host following investigations into alleged criminal behaviour.

The 40-year-old presenter was accused of using fake online identities and offering money to others for explicit material of themselves in a report first published by the Byline Times. Wootton had told viewers of his show he made "errors of judgment" but vehemently denied any criminality.

After the allegations were published, Wootton was suspended from his role at MailOnline. A complaint was made to the Metropolitan Police and an investigation was carried out but Wootton was never arrested or charged. On 21 February, Wootton revealed no further action will be taken against him.

Wootton's full statement can be read below:

Statement in full

Wootton 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. The accusations made against me were completely spurious – lies designed to destroy my career where complainants were actuated by malice.

Eamonn Holmes returns to work as he shares he's feeling better in health update

"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. 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."

Zara Woodcock