The GB News presenter has written a regular column for the online news outlet since 2021. His last article was published on 29 June.

It comes after The Sun newspaper said they were also looking into allegations against the New Zealand-born star.

Last month, Wootton admitted he had made "errors of judgement" in the past but branded criminal allegations, following a report by the Byline Times, as "simply untrue".

Previously he has spoken on his show Dan Wootton Tonight, telling viewers that he has been the target of a "smear campaign" by people "with an axe to grind".

He also said he had previously been the victim of an abusive relationship and was talking about it for the first time following these allegations.

On Thursday, a spokesperson for DMG Media, which publishes MailOnline, said: "The allegations are obviously serious but also complex and historic and there is an independent investigation underway at the media group which employed him during the relevant period.

"In the meantime, his freelance column with MailOnline has been paused."

Many of the claims made against the presenter concern events said to have taken place while Wootton was employed by The Sun - where he worked as an executive editor and previously editor of the paper's Bizarre column.

After addressing the allegations live on air, Wootton said he could not comment further on the advice of his lawyers.

Byline Times said they have contacted the Metropolitan Police with evidence. There is currently no active investigation.

Leaving The Sun in 2021, Wootton now hosts his weeknight opinion show on GB News.

He also previously worked as a showbiz editor at the now-defunct News Of The World, and has appeared on ITV's Lorraine as the showbiz correspondent.