Former Scotsman journalist named highest paid Scot on BBC payroll

paid a lot less than if they were at ITV or Channel 4.

The point, however, needs to be made, that if the BBC is having to make this information available, then why should other broadcasters not have to do the same.

This situation came about because of the BBC’S rocky relationship with the former culture secretary, John Whittingdale. While this happened because the BBC is licence-payer funded, it could be argued that the transparency should be extended to the likes of Channel 4 and ITV.

There is a case for doing what they do in Norway, which is to publish tax returns online. It is a good thing that people know where the big money is going.

The question over stars like Chris Evans being paid suge huge sums is debatable. Does he really need that amount of money for what he does three or four nights a week? One does wonder. The question is whether they are in a genuinely competitive market or not.

It would be more surprising if there was not a gender pay gap. It has taken a long time to move from the situation across our society where women were clearly discriminated against to move to a total parity situation. I do wonder if we will ever see total parity and I think in my lifetime it is unlikely - but it is a step forward that we have this information out in the public realm.

I think the BBC will have to be very careful when looking at their pay structure in the year to come so it does not find itself next year publishing figures which suggest it is not 96 but 16 people who are paid more than £150,000. It would be very surprising if they do not take steps to become more careful in the future. l David Hutchison is an honorary professor of media and policy at Glasgow Caledonian University. From 1988-96 he was a member of the BBC’S General Advisory Council Scotland’s highest paid BBC stars were revealed yesterday, with broadcasters Andrew Marr and Nicky Campbell topping the list.

Former Scotsman journalist and political expert Marr was the best-paid Scot in the BBC, taking home a salary of between £400,000 and £450,000. However, the frontman for the BBC’S flagship weekend politics show which bears his name also produces documentaries for the corporation, which undoubtedly boosted his pay packet.

Campbell, from Edinburgh, 0 Nicky Campbell was in the £400,000-£450,000 bracket known for his stint at the helm of Watchdog, also receives a salary in the £400,000 to £450,000 bracket.

Eddie Mair, who fronts Radio Four’s PM programme and began his career on Radio Scotland, received a salary of between £300,000 and £349,999.

Andrew Neil, the former Scotsman editor in chief, was paid £200,000 to £249,000, while Laura Kuenssberg, who grew up in Glasgow, earned £200,000 to £249,000.

Meanwhile, news broadcasters Kirsty Wark, Gavin Esler, James Naughtie and actress Laurie Brett received salaries in the £150,000 to £199,999 bracket, according to the report, while Radio 2’s Ken Bruce pocketed between £250,000 and £299,000.

Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi received £200,000 to £249,000.