TV presenter Dan Wootton has said two police forces will take no further action after investigations into criminal allegations against him.
The New Zealand-born broadcaster said in a statement that he had been “completely cleared” after the investigations by the Metropolitan Police and Police Scotland.
In a statement issued by his lawyer, he said: “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.”
He had previously spoken out on his self-titled GB News show to admit “errors of judgment” but deny “criminal allegations”.
Former tabloid journalist Wootton is known for his role in breaking the story of the withdrawal of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex from royal duties, and was named showbiz reporter of the year at the British Press Awards on three occasions.
He was previously showbiz editor at the News Of The World and appeared on ITV’s Lorraine as showbiz correspondent.
Wootton announced in January 2021 that he would be leaving his job as executive editor at The Sun, where he previously edited the paper’s Bizarre column, and subsequently became a regular columnist for the MailOnline.
He was suspended from his role as a presenter on GB News after a row over comments made by actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox about a female journalist.
Wootton also had his contract as a columnist with the Daily Mail terminated at the same time.
The Metropolitan Police did not identify Wootton, but released a statement which said: “In June 2023, the Metropolitan Police was contacted with regards to allegations of sexual offences committed by a man aged in his 40s.
“Officers assessed all information available to establish whether any criminal offence has taken place.
“An investigation was commenced into these allegations.
“All parties involved have now been advised that no further action will be taken.
“There were no arrests during the investigation.”