GB News presenter Dan Wootton has issued a statement denying illegal behaviour in the allegations made against him.
It has been claimed that he used fake social media accounts to offer money to people so they would provide material of themselves including 'sexually compromising pictures'.
Wootton denies the criminal allegations, reported on Monday (17 July) by the Byline Times which claim that he 'targeted journalistic colleagues, friends and members of the public' for a period of at least 10 years.
They say that between 2008 and 2018 Wootton posed as 'Martin Branning', a fictitious showbusiness agent who offered tax free payments of up to £30,000 to people.
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Wootton, the former executive editor of The Sun and current columnist for the MailOnline in addition to his presenting role on GB News, gave a statement on the allegations where he said claims against him were a 'smear campaign' carried out by 'nefarious players with an axe to grind'.
The presenter admitted that in the past he had 'made errors of judgment' but described the criminal allegations made against him as 'simply untrue'.
The 40-year-old added that he would speak more on the matter but that legal advice had recommended he keep it short.
He said: "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."
Wootton also denounced the 'cesspit of social media' and spoke about 'dark forces' which he claimed were trying to take down GB News, claiming they would 'stop at nothing to destroy us'.
The Metropolitan Police said: "In June 2023, the Metropolitan Police was contacted with regards to allegations of sexual offences committed by a man.
"Officers are assessing information to establish whether any criminal offence has taken place."
"There is no police investigation at this time."
Publishers of The Sun, where Wootton worked during the time of some of the allegations, and the MailOnline have confirmed they are looking into the allegations made against the 40-year-old.
When contacted by LADbible in regards to this story GB News declined to comment further.
Topics: UK News, Crime, TV and Film
Joe Harker