Donna Traynor says settlement determine ‘exaggerated’ in hypothesis
F
ormer newsreader Donna Traynor has mentioned the quantity paid within the settlement of her tribunal case in opposition to the BBC has been “exaggerated” in hypothesis.
Traynor, a former BBC Newsline presenter, had alleged she was discriminated in opposition to on the idea of age, intercourse and incapacity.
The industrial tribunal was resolved with none admission of legal responsibility in Belfast on Friday.
The BBC and its Northern Ireland director Adam Smyth had been respondents within the case.
I introduced this case for extra necessary causes than merely compensation.
In a social media submit on Saturday, Traynor mentioned: “There has been speculation about the amount to be paid in the settlement of my employment tribunal case against the BBC and Adam Smyth.
“This figure has been exaggerated.
“While I am very happy with what was agreed, I want to make it clear that I brought this case for more important reasons than simply compensation.
“I believe I have achieved this and now intend to put the matter behind me.”
Speaking on the conclusion of proceedings on Friday, Mr Smyth mentioned he wished Traynor effectively sooner or later however wouldn’t touch upon any monetary settlement.
When the case opened on Wednesday, Traynor’s counsel, Patrick Lyttle KC, mentioned she had confronted bullying and harassment following her opposition to a BBC plan to maneuver her to a radio place a number of days per week in 2019.
But on Friday, the listening to, which had been anticipated to final for a number of days, was halted when a settlement between the events was introduced.
Mr Lyttle learn out a brief agreed assertion between the 2 sides.
It acknowledged: “The dispute between Donna Traynor and the BBC and Adam Smyth has ended, without any admission of liability on the part of either respondent.
“Donna Traynor acknowledges the BBC and Adam Smyth continue to refute strongly all the allegations made against them, including the claims made on the opening day of the tribunal.
“The parties are pleased that this matter has been brought to a conclusion and intend to put it behind them.”
The assertion made no reference to prices or any monetary settlement.
Traynor left the tribunal with out making any additional remark concerning the settlement.
When requested by the PA news company whether or not she was relieved that the case was over, Traynor mentioned: “It’s a gorgeous day, isn’t it?”
But she tweeted: “My employment tribunal case is now settled and over.
“Many thanks to everyone who has sent me supportive messages in recent times. Wishing you well. Donna.”
Speaking to the media as he left the listening to, Mr Smyth mentioned: “You have heard the joint statement, we are very glad to have reached a resolution. We wish Donna all the best for the future.”
Asked whether or not there had been a monetary settlement within the case, Mr Smyth mentioned: “You have heard the joint statement, I refer you to that.
“We don’t have any comment to make about the settlement beyond what has been said in the tribunal.”
Asked about using public cash within the case, Mr Smyth mentioned: “The only comment I have to make about licence fee-payers’ money is that we treat it very carefully and very sensitively and we think about every penny that we spend.
“You will have heard that we strongly refuted all of the accusations against us, that is our position.
“The settlement we have reached today is acceptable.”
Traynor resigned in November 2021 after almost 33 years on the broadcaster.
She had raised a proper grievance after refusing to just accept a plan that may have concerned her shifting to presenting the Evening Extra radio present a number of nights per week.
When the tribunal opened on Wednesday, her authorized crew had argued she was a sufferer of “age discrimination, sex discrimination and disability discrimination”.
Her barrister had mentioned that she was offered on her fifty fifth birthday with the plan which might have concerned her shifting to radio on some evenings.
He had alleged intercourse discrimination as a result of, he mentioned, Traynor was to be moved to radio to “settle a gender imbalance” subject at Radio Ulster.
Mr Lyttle had additionally mentioned Traynor had repeatedly raised issues about engaged on radio as a result of she is deaf in her left ear.
Traynor joined the BBC in 1989 and offered radio news bulletins earlier than shifting into TV.
She has been nominated twice for the Royal Television Society award for presenter of the yr.