View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Archive content
February 20, 2003updated 17 May 2007 11:30am

Mayer to head to head with BBC

By Press Gazette

Laurie Mayer, who accused the BBC of bullying regional news staff last year, has been given the go-ahead to take a case of unfair dismissal to an employment tribunal.

Mayer, 56, a BBC journalist for 30 years, was lured back to the BBC in May 2001, to head up a team of presenters for a BBC South East news show, after a stint as press spokesman for Harrods boss Mohamed Al Fayed.

But he left after just 14 months, after he complained to regional head Laura Ellis about “a culture of intimidation” faced by staff at the Tunbridge Wells newsroom.

He walked out after being told that his contract would not be renewed, 15 minutes before he was due to go on air.

At the time, Mayer claimed he was “unceremoniously sacked” from his job of presenting South East Today. His departure sparked a BBC inquiry, led by former head of news and controller of editorial policy Richard Ayre.

The BBC had sought to get his case dismissed on the grounds that Mayer was “hired talent” and not a bona fide member of staff, and therefore not eligible to take the BBC to tribunal.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

However, at the preliminary hearing this week, the BBC’s bid was rejected by chairman Frances Spencer.

Following the ruling, Mayer said he was pleased the tribunal could now go ahead, but was aware there was “still a long way to go”. “I’ve got the backing of the NUJ on this. They want to see it through and so do I. It’ll be an interesting story,” he added.

The BBC said it “would continue to defend its position”.

It is understood the BBC has 28 days to reproduce Ayre’s internal report for scrutiny at the tribunal, but no start date has been set for the proceedings.

By Wale Azeez

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network