Four female BBC news presenters have suffered a partial defeat in their legal battle against the broadcaster after a judge dismissed their equal pay claim. Martine Croxall, 55, Karin Giannone, 50, Kasia Madera, 48, and Annita McVeigh, 55, had argued they were paid less than male counterparts, with a gap of about £36,000 a year in pensionable salary as of February 2023.
Judge Sarah Goodman threw out the equal pay element because the women had previously agreed to equal pay settlements. The BBC's lawyers described the situation as seeking a 'second bite of the cherry on the same set of facts'. However, the majority of their claims, including age and sex discrimination over a 'rigged' recruitment process for chief presenter roles, will proceed to a full three-week tribunal starting March 17 next year.
The presenters were taken off air last year after missing out on top jobs following the merger of BBC's domestic and international news channels. They allege discrimination on grounds of age, sex, trade union membership, and wages. Karin Giannone also claims age, sex, and wage discrimination.
A BBC spokesman welcomed the tribunal's decision, stating: 'We are pleased with the result and that the tribunal has accepted our position.' The women said in a statement: 'We remain committed to seeking equal pay despite the BBC’s lawyers relying on a novel argument to prevent our claims progressing.'
During the hearing, Martine Croxall told the tribunal that the corporation 'grinds you down - it breaks you' on pay, adding: 'That's why I'm here.' She revealed she was paid £139,000 a year and had been through three pay disputes with management, claiming discrimination was 'baked in' to the BBC's pay structures.
