Dan Wootton, the journalist and presenter of GB News, has responded to allegations made against him on social media, dismissing all criminal claims as “untrue” and asserting that he is the target of a “smear campaign.” Wootton made a statement at the beginning of his daily show, Dan Wootton Tonight, affirming his commitment to transparency and addressing the ongoing accusations.

During his address, the 40-year-old journalist acknowledged feeling uncomfortable being the subject of the news but emphasized his show’s commitment to impartiality and openness. Wootton stated that he felt compelled to address the allegations circulating online, particularly those detailed in a report by Byline Times on Monday, which outlined potential criminal behaviour spanning a decade.

Referring to the claims made against him, Wootton remarked, “I have been the target of a smear campaign by nefarious players with an axe to grind.” He also disclosed that he had previously been the victim of an abusive relationship, revealing this information for the first time in light of the recent allegations.

“While I have made errors of judgment in the past, the criminal allegations made against me are simply untrue,” Wootton firmly stated. He further mentioned “other unspeakable slurs” that had been directed at him online.

Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Wootton noted that he could spend the entirety of his two-hour show addressing the allegations but refrained from doing so based on legal advice. Byline Times has reported that they have provided evidence to the Metropolitan Police regarding the allegations.

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police confirmed that they had received contact in June 2023 regarding allegations of sexual offences, and officers are currently assessing the information to determine if any criminal offence has occurred. However, there is presently no active investigation.

News UK, the parent company of The Sun newspaper where Wootton previously worked, stated that they are reviewing the allegations but refrained from providing further comments at this stage. Wootton is currently a regular columnist for MailOnline, and DMG Media, its publisher, expressed a similar stance, stating that they are looking into the allegations but cannot comment further.

Dan Wootton, known as a polarizing figure, has a significant following as the host of GB News‘ most-watched program. He joined GB News in 2021 and also writes a regular column for MailOnline. While Wootton was off-air last week, he informed viewers that he had taken a scheduled holiday in New Zealand with his family. GB News has not provided any official comments on the matter at this time.