BBC settles ‘six-figure’ Samira pay claim

THE BBC has been forced to reach a high six-figure settlement with presenter Samira Ahmed following her landmark equal pay victory.

Yesterday it emerged the broadcaster would not appeal against the Newswatch host’s case and reportedly agreed to pay out more than the £700,000 she claimed she was owed. In a statement, the BBC said ‘matters’ had been ‘concluded’ and added it looks forward to ‘continuing to work together’ with the presenter.

Both parties yesterday declined to comment on the amount she was awarded.

Last month an employment tribunal ruled in a ‘unanimous judgment’ in Miss Ahmed’s favour after she claimed she was paid far less than colleague Jeremy Vine for ‘very similar’ work. Former Tory MP Rob Wilson blasted the payout, saying: ‘That’s nearly £1million of licence fee income mismanaged by BBC managers.’

The BBC is dealing with 45 pay ‘queries’ and ‘claims’ from women and men, not all of which relate to equal or gender pay.