BBC reach settlement with four female stars over 'sex and age discrimination'
Martine Croxall, 55, Karin Giannone, 50, Kasia Madera, 48, and Annita McVeigh, 55, claimed they were passed over for chief presenter roles in a restructure.
The BBC has reached a settlement with four female stars over claims including sex and age discrimination. Martine Croxall, 55, Karin Giannone, 50, Kasia Madera, 48, and Annita McVeigh, 55, claimed they were passed over for chief presenter roles in a restructure.
The BBC has insisted its application process was "rigorous and fair". BBC News understands a settlement has been reached with no admission of liability, and a three-week tribunal to hear the presenters' claims, which had been due to start on Monday, will now not go ahead.
In a joint statement, they said: "We can confirm that we have reached a resolution with BBC management that avoids the need for a tribunal hearing in respect of our employment-related claims. A protracted process lasting almost three years is now over. We've been deeply moved by the support we've received.
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"We look forward to contributing further to the success of BBC News, especially to live programming and the growing streaming services that are so important to our audiences."
A BBC statement said: "After careful consideration we have a reached a resolution which brings to an end protracted legal proceedings with four members of staff and avoids further costs for the BBC.
"In doing so we have not accepted any liability or any of the arguments made against the BBC. We are simply bringing to a close all of the actions brought against us so that all involved can move forward."
It added that it welcomed the opportunity to "now look to the future, and to work together on delivering for our audiences - which is our first priority". They previously told London's Central Employment Tribunal they lost their jobs in "a sham recruitment exercise" when the corporation merged its BBC News and BBC World channels in March 2023.
Ms Croxall, Ms Giannone, and Ms Madera have not appeared on screen in more than a year after appealing the "rigged" process. Ms Croxall told the hearing: "We suffered discrimination based on age and sex, victimisation, harassment and intimidation."
Of a previous pay settlement, Ms Croxall told the hearing: "The BBC grinds you down."