MailOnline terminates contract with columnist Dan Wootton amid GB News furore
The 40-year-old broadcaster and journalist had written a regular column for the online outlet since 2021.
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Your support makes all the difference.Dan Wootton’s MailOnline column has been terminated following his suspension from GB News over remarks about a female journalist made by Laurence Fox on the broadcaster’s show.
The 40-year-old had written a regular column for the online outlet since 2021 but it was paused in August while the publication investigated allegations he used a pseudonym and offered colleagues money for sexual material.
Wootton previously said he had made “errors of judgment” in the past but branded the “criminal allegations” as “simply untrue”.
On Thursday, the parent company of MailOnline said that it had decided to terminate Wootton’s column and contract.
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
A spokesperson for DMG Media 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.”
Wootton’s column was originally paused while the publishers of MailOnline and his previous employers at The Sun newspaper said they were looking into allegations made against the New Zealand-born star.
On Wednesday, Wootton was suspended from GB News along with Fox after the actor-turned-politician made a series of remarks about Ava Evans, the political correspondent for online news site Joe, including asking: “Who would want to shag that?”
Following the discussion on Dan Wootton Tonight, the presenter apologised “unreservedly” for a “very unfortunate lapse in judgment” in a follow-up post to an earlier apology, which suggested he should have apologised for what was said during the broadcast.
The broadcast prompted an internal investigation by GB News and a probe by regulator Ofcom, while Ms Evans said she had received an apology from the broadcaster.
On Thursday, Ms Evans told Good Morning Britain that her direct messages on social media are full of “astounding” threats.
She added: “I’m deeply embarrassed by all of it and I’m appreciative for everyone who has very kindly stood up for me, but it’s sort of the other side of it, which is half of the comments are very lovely and supportive, and the other side are very threatening.”
A host of politicians have since come forward to express their opinion after the situation unfolded on Wednesday.
Former prime minister Gordon Brown said Wootton and Fox “have got to be kept off of the air”, while regulator Ofcom needs to have “more teeth” to deal with issues of standards, while appearing on Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge.
Culture secretary Lucy Frazer at first declined to condemn Fox’s remarks, but later described them as “unacceptable”.
Scotland First Minister Humza Yousaf branded Fox a “vile neanderthal” following comments he made about the female journalist.
Fox, whose previous acting credits include Gosford Park and Elizabeth: The Golden Age, later posted a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Just so we are clear.
“I would rather scrub toilets for the rest of my days and retain my dignity. Than shill for cash and opportunity, only to compromise absolutely everything which really matters in life.
“I’ve made many millions over the years and I gave them up to fight a battle I didn’t want to fight. So if you think that some half baked pile on is going to stop me.
“Think again. I am truly free.”
Representatives for Dan Wootton have been contacted for comment.