GB News host Dan Wootton has denied any criminality as he responded to various claims made against him.
The broadcaster admitted making “errors of judgement in the past” amid reports he offered media colleagues thousands of pounds for explicit material of themselves.
Speaking on his GB News show, Wootton said he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by “nefarious players”.
The publishers of the Sun and MailOnline said they are looking into the allegations against him.
READ MORE: Scottish Greens in 'transphobia' row as internal elections open
Wootton previously worked as the executive editor of The Sun, and its publisher News UK told the BBC: “We are looking into the allegations made in recent days. We are not able to make any further comment at this stage.”
The presenter also became a columnist for MailOnline, owned by DMG Media. A spokesperson for the company said: “We are aware of the allegations and are looking into them.”
The claims include that Wootton used fake online identities and offered money to individuals in return for filming themselves to carrying out sex acts.
Wootton said the allegations had been spread by a “race to the bottom” on social media and were part of a wider bid by “dark forces” trying to bring down GB News.
He went on to blame “cancel culture” for his treatment, saying: “Being in the middle of the witch-hunt has made me think a lot about the sort of journalist and broadcaster I aspire to be, one focused on the massive political threats facing this country, not on the personal attacks.
“I mean, who doesn’t have regrets? Should I be cancelled for them many years later? Or do you accept that I have learned and changed?”
Wootton also said he had previously been the victim of an abusive relationship and was talking about it for the first time following the allegations.
'There are dark forces out to try and take this brilliant channel down. And that’s because GB News is the biggest threat to the establishment in decades, and they will stop at nothing to destroy us.'@DanWootton pic.twitter.com/pmNkZNN6DA
— GB News (@GBNEWS) July 18, 2023
He added: “These past few days I have been the target of a smear campaign by nefarious players with an axe to grind.
“I, like all fallible human beings, have made errors of judgement in the past. But the criminal allegations being made against me are simply untrue.
“I would like nothing more than to address those spurious claims. I could actually spend the next two hours doing so, but on the advice of my lawyers I cannot comment further.”
GB News said it had no comment at this time.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article