16 Mar 2025
St Albans news presenter Martine Croxall has settled a claim of age and sex discrimination against the BBC ahead of an employment tribunal which was due to go ahead this week.
Martine joined the BBC in October 1991, and has been a chief presenter with the BBC News Channel and BBC World News since 2001.
She had joined fellow presenters Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh in launching an employment tribunal against the broadcaster.
Martine, Kasia and Annita had alleged discrimination on the grounds of age, sex, being a union member and wages, while Karin had alleged discrimination based on age, sex and wages.
They claimed a recruitment process after the BBC merged its domestic and international news channels had been rigged. They said other presenters – two men and two women – were told their jobs were safe, while the four claimants were instead offered jobs as correspondents, which amounted to a demotion.
They said they had been discriminated against because of their sex and age, were victimised because of union membership and for bringing previous equal pay claims, and suffered harassment as a result.
The BBC has now agreed a settlement with the presenters, while not accepting any liability.
In a joint statement, the four said: “We can confirm that we have reached a resolution with BBC management that avoids the need for a tribunal hearing in respect of our employment-related claims.
“A protracted process lasting almost three years is now over. We’ve been deeply moved by the support we’ve received.
“We look forward to contributing further to the success of BBC News, especially to live programming and the growing streaming services that are so important to our audiences.”
The BBC issued its own statement: “After careful consideration we have a reached a resolution which brings to an end protracted legal proceedings with four members of staff and avoids further costs for the BBC.
“In doing so we have not accepted any liability or any of the arguments made against the BBC. We are simply bringing to a close all of the actions brought against us so that all involved can move forward.”
