91Èȱ¬ legal costs revealed after high-profile disputes
The employment tribunal case between Ms Traynor and the 91Èȱ¬ in Northern Ireland and its director Adam Smyth was settled in June 2023
- Published
The 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ spokesperson said: "We only incur legal costs to the extent that is absolutely necessary."
Ms Traynor, a former 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ in November 2021 with immediate effect, after a career at the corporation spanning more than 30 years.
A former 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ in Northern Ireland over alleged bullying, but that case was also settled with no admission of liability in June 2023.
The 91Èȱ¬ agreed to pay Ms Ferguson's legal costs as part of the terms of the settlement.
According to the Belfast Telegraph, 91Èȱ¬ Northern Ireland (91Èȱ¬ NI) paid an overall total of £607,695 in legal costs in both cases.
In Ms Ferguson's case, the 91Èȱ¬'s legal costs to date were £337,193.
In Ms Traynor's case, the 91Èȱ¬'s legal advice costs, counsel fees and disbursements to date were £270,502.