A spokesperson for News UK said: “We are looking into the allegations made in recent days. We are not able to make any further comment at this stage.” Wootton currently writes a regular column for MailOnline. A spokesperson for DMG Media, the site’s parent company, said: “We are aware of the allegations and are looking into them.”
The Guardian has over the last three years talked to multiple individuals working in the media who say they have been approached online by a person using the name Martin Branning. The individuals, usually with links to the Sun, described being offered tens of thousands of pounds by Branning, usually in return for performing sexual acts on camera. The messages appeared to be personalised and were targeted at individuals, usually straight men, including employees of News UK.
Wootton has denied that any illegal behaviour took place and has not commented further on the allegations. His employers at GB News did not respond to a request for comment.