The BBC has agreed a settlement with four of its female broadcast news presenters over employment claims including age and sex discrimination.
Martine Croxall, 55, Karin Giannone, 50, Kasia Madera, 48, and Annita McVeigh, 55, claimed they were passed over for chief presenter roles in a restructure.
They launched an employment tribunal against the BBC which was due to start next week, but will now not go ahead following the settlement.
In reaching a resolution there is no acceptance of liability by the BBC.
A statement from the four BBC News presenters read: “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.”
They previously told London‘s Central Employment Tribunal they lost their jobs in “a sham recruitment exercise” when the corporation merged its BBC News and BBC World channels in March 2023.
Ms Croxall, Ms Giannone, and Ms Madera have not appeared on screen in more than a year after appealing the “rigged” process.
Ms McVeigh is understood to have since taken a chief presenter role after a vacancy came up on the channel and recently appeared on air.
Ms Croxall told the hearing: “We suffered discrimination based on age and sex, victimisation, harassment and intimidation.”
The women also say there is a £36,000 annual salary gap with male colleagues.
Of a previous pay settlement, Ms Croxall told the hearing: “The BBC grinds you down.”
The BBC has insisted the application was “rigorous and fair”.
A BBC spokesperson said: “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.
“The BBC successfully launched a single BBC News channel in 2023, bringing the best live and breaking news on TV and online both here and around the world.
“We welcome this opportunity to now look to the future, and to work together on delivering for our audiences – which is our first priority.”