BBC legal costs revealed after high-profile disputes

The employment tribunal case between Ms Traynor and the BBC in Northern Ireland and its director Adam Smyth was settled in June 2023

The BBC in Northern Ireland has confirmed that it paid legal costs of more than £600,000 arising from high-profile disputes with two former employees.

The figures were disclosed following a freedom of information request by the Belfast Telegraph.

The cases, involving Donna Traynor and Lena Ferguson, were settled without any admission of liability.

In a statement a BBC spokesperson said: "We only incur legal costs to the extent that is absolutely necessary."

Ms Traynor, a former BBC Newsline presenter, had claimed she was discriminated against on the basis of age, sex and disability

No admission of liability

Ms Traynor announced she was leaving the BBC in November 2021 with immediate effect, after a career at the corporation spanning more than 30 years.

A former BBC Newsline presenter, she claimed she was discriminated against on the basis of age, sex and disability.

The employment tribunal case between Ms Traynor and the BBC in Northern Ireland and its director Adam Smyth was settled in 2023.

There was no admission of liability.

Lena Ferguson was a producer on the award-winning current affairs programme Spotlight.

Ms Ferguson sued the BBC in Northern Ireland over alleged bullying, but that case was also settled with no admission of liability in June 2023.

The BBC agreed to pay Ms Ferguson's legal costs as part of the terms of the settlement.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, BBC Northern Ireland (BBC NI) paid an overall total of £607,695 in legal costs in both cases.

In Ms Ferguson's case, the BBC's legal costs to date were £337,193.

In Ms Traynor's case, the BBC's legal advice costs, counsel fees and disbursements to date were £270,502.