BBC News are currently facing a legal battle after four female presenters have claimed they were “forced off air”. Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh have gone to court after making similar complaints of a “rigged” recruitment process.
All four of them were present at the London Central Employment Tribunal on Wednesday for a two-day preliminary hearing, according to Deadline. It comes as the women, aged 48 to 54, complained about an alleged “sham” hiring process back in January 2023.
They all claimed the process had caused them to suffer age and sex discrimination, equal pay concerns, and harassment in the workplace. They also alleged that the BBC rigged the hiring process by predetermining its preferred list of Chief Presenters before applications opened.
The four women all claimed to have face repercussions after challenging the BBC’s hiring process. They alleged they lost their jobs, were kept off air for a year, while some were demoted and others faced a pay cut.
The four women gave evidence about equal pay claims at the hearing on Wednesday. According to reports, Martine told the tribunal that “discrimination is baked into BBC pay structures,” claiming that the corporation “grinds you down” and “breaks you” during equal pay disputes.
