Maitlis mocks gender gap as contract talks come to crunch
EMILY MAITLIS, the Newsnight presenter, mocked the BBC’S gender pay gap at an industry dinner amid speculation she may quit.
The journalist, who did not make the corporation’s list of £150,000-plus earners, is currently out of contract and has been involved in “showdown talks” with her bosses over pay.
Speaking at a Techuk dinner, she quipped: “You’re an industry doing so well, soon you’ll be able to afford a BBC man.”
Despite the light tone, sources have revealed her future at the BBC was in serious doubt and she is said to be furious about the pay divide.
Miss Maitlis is one of the most respected journalists in broadcasting and was one of the bigger names at the BBC not to feature on the list. By comparison, Evan Davis, her Newsnight co-presenter, takes home between £250,000 and £299,999.
Alex Armitage, her agent, tweeted that her exclusion from the pay list was “beyond madness and being dealt with”.
Miss Maitlis is currently off-air after her contract came to an end. A new deal has yet to be signed.
The 46-year-old is said to be among several employees, including BBC Radio 4’s Sarah Montague, who were offered substantial pay rises ahead of the report’s release. Miss Montague, who co-presents the Today programme, was another shock omission from the list.
Her four co-presenters – John Humphrys, Justin Webb, Nick Robinson and Mishal Husain – were all revealed to earn upwards of £150,000, with Humphrys, who also hosts Mastermind, taking home up to £650,000.
A BBC insider told The Sun: “Emily had showdown talks with Newsnight boss Ian Katz ahead of the publication of the salaries.
“They made her an offer and she did not accept it. As it stands, her future hangs in the balance. Emily is totally furious as she feels like she has been lied to. For her not to be on the list is unbelievable.”