Yahoo News Newsnight presenter 'takes a dig at BBC gender pay gap'
Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis apparently took a cheeky dig at the BBC last night (July 19), after the corporation revealed the salaries of its top-earning stars for the first time.
As it was alleged by the tabloid press that she was considering quitting the BBC over pay disparity, Maitlis was speaking at a dinner for TechUK – the trade association of tech companies in the UK – when she reacted to the publication of her colleagues' earnings.
According to a journalist in attendance, Bryan Glick, Maitlis told the audience: "You're an industry doing so well. Soon you'll be able to afford a BBC man."
Emily Maitlis at TechUK dinner: "You're an industry doing so well, soon you'll be able to afford a BBC man..." pic.twitter.com/GsGsdUijme
- Bryan Glick (@bryanglick) July 19, 2017
In the BBC's latest annual report, it emerged that Claudia Winkleman is the highest-paid woman with £450,000 to £499,000, but there is still a significant gender pay gap, with Chris Evans the biggest earner on the list taking £2 million to £2.49m.
Maitlis's name did not appear on the list of 96 BBC stars earning more than £150,000, but her Newsnight co-host Evan Davis was placed 34th with £250,000 to £299,000.
A BBC spokesman told The Sun that Maitlis has been "off rota for several weeks", but they are in negotiations over a new contract and "hope to reach an agreement soon".
Maitlis is an established journalist and newsreader for the broadcaster, and recently quizzed Prime Minster Theresa May about the government's response to the deadly Grenfell Tower fire.
BBC director general Lord Hall said the findings in the report reveal that the BBC has to "go further and faster" on gender issues, but that the corporation was "pushing faster than any other major broadcaster".
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