BBC gender row | Female newsreaders claim they were "set up to fail" in 'rigged' hiring process

Four female news presenters from the BBC are suing the broadcasting company for having a “rigged” employment selection process.

The presenters – Martine Croxall, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera, and Annita McVeigh – are all taking part in the tribunal, accusing the broadcaster of age and sex discrimination for the unfair appointment of chief presenter roles and unequal pay claims.

The female news presenters, who are all between the age of 48 and 55 years old, say they were overlooked for top presenter roles when the broadcaster merged its domestic and international news outlets.

They allege that the BBC had already chosen who they wanted in the senior roles before people had even applied, saying they were “set up to fail” in the jobs process, however the broadcaster rejects these claims.