BEEB’S ‘HUSH MONEY’ TO WOMEN STARS
Claims bosses offered rises for silence on gender pay gap as 10 threaten to sue
FEMALE BBC stars were promised better wages to stay quiet on the gender pay gap, it is claimed.
Radio host Jane Garvey said at least two were offered rises – as 10 threaten to sue bosses. A source added: “It looked like hush money to me.”
BBC bosses held a string of frantic talks with female stars before details of the huge pay disparities with men became public, it is claimed.
Sources last night accused executives of offering “hush money” to women in a bid to avoid a row.
But at least 10 furious female presenters are now said to be preparing to sue the BBC.
Woman’s Hour host Jane Garvey said: “I have heard rumours of at least two prominent women presenters who have been offered pay rises within the last couple of weeks.”
Several sources claim chiefs offered women improved salaries or future work in the lead up to the pay revelations by Director General Tony Hall.
One said: “The BBC might describe them as contract negotiations, but it looked like hush money to me.
“The timing was peculiar to say the least, and it seemed to be a preventative measure.”
A second source added: “There are women who are furious and they are still being encouraged to stay silent with the prospect of either pay rises or promises of future earnings.
“There is a real feeling that it is an old boys’ club at the top of the BBC when it comes to talent pay.”A BBC spokesman branded the claims “nonsense”. Asked if female stars had been spoken to, he replied: “We’ve set out our target to go further and faster than any other broadcaster in closing the gender pay gap but it would be wrong to suggest there’s a single, simplistic way of doing this.”
On Wednesday it was revealed the top seven salaries are all men earning millions, while no female got more than £500,000. Claudia Winkleman was top on £450-499,999 while more than half of the other women on the list were paid between £150,000 and £199,999.
Newsnight star Emily Maitlis is said to be “furious” that she is on less than £150,000 while co-host Evan Davis pulls in up to £299,999. The Beeb has had complaints from viewers over huge salaries of male stars such as Chris Evans.
Former TV presenter Sue Cook last night said the BBC gender gap goes back to the 90s.
She added: “When I was on Crimewatch, I was told Nick Ross was earning a hell of a lot more than me and we were doing the same job. He was getting £4,000 a show, and I was getting £3,000.
“I complained and threatened to resign. In the end I settled for earning £50 less than him.”