This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42657438

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
BBC 'deeply unimpressed' over Carrie Gracie pay jokes BBC 'deeply unimpressed' over Carrie Gracie pay jokes
(about 1 hour later)
The BBC is "deeply unimpressed" with an off-air chat in which two of its high-profile journalists joked about the gender pay gap, a BBC source has said.The BBC is "deeply unimpressed" with an off-air chat in which two of its high-profile journalists joked about the gender pay gap, a BBC source has said.
BBC Radio 4 Today presenter John Humphrys and North America editor Jon Sopel were discussing Carrie Gracie, who had just quit over equal pay.BBC Radio 4 Today presenter John Humphrys and North America editor Jon Sopel were discussing Carrie Gracie, who had just quit over equal pay.
Before Monday's show, The Sun and Times reported, they joked of "handing over" pay to keep Ms Gracie as China editor.Before Monday's show, The Sun and Times reported, they joked of "handing over" pay to keep Ms Gracie as China editor.
A BBC spokeswoman said the presenter regrets the "ill-advised" conversation.A BBC spokeswoman said the presenter regrets the "ill-advised" conversation.
Mr Humphrys told the Times the off-air chat was "nothing to do" with the campaign by Ms Gracie.Mr Humphrys told the Times the off-air chat was "nothing to do" with the campaign by Ms Gracie.
He said: "This was what I thought was an exchange between two old friends who have known each other for 30 years and were taking the mickey out of each other."He said: "This was what I thought was an exchange between two old friends who have known each other for 30 years and were taking the mickey out of each other."
BBC management are understood to be "deeply unimpressed" with the unaired discussion, which took place ahead of a pre-recorded interview for Monday morning's edition of Today.BBC management are understood to be "deeply unimpressed" with the unaired discussion, which took place ahead of a pre-recorded interview for Monday morning's edition of Today.
In an open letter issued the night before, Ms Gracie had accused the corporation of having a "secretive and illegal pay culture".In an open letter issued the night before, Ms Gracie had accused the corporation of having a "secretive and illegal pay culture".
She quit because of pay inequality with her male counterparts - including Mr Sopel - who were earning more than her £135,000-a-year salary.She quit because of pay inequality with her male counterparts - including Mr Sopel - who were earning more than her £135,000-a-year salary.
Last year the BBC listed all the salaries of all employees earning more than £150,000 a year, which revealed Mr Sopel, the US editor, earned £200,000-£249,999, while Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen earned £150,000-£199,999.Last year the BBC listed all the salaries of all employees earning more than £150,000 a year, which revealed Mr Sopel, the US editor, earned £200,000-£249,999, while Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen earned £150,000-£199,999.
It also showed that Mr Humphrys, who has presented Radio 4's Today programme since 1987, had a salary of £600,000-£649,000.It also showed that Mr Humphrys, who has presented Radio 4's Today programme since 1987, had a salary of £600,000-£649,000.
Speaking in the Radio 4 studio, Mr Humphrys reportedly asked Mr Sopel about "how much of your salary you are prepared to hand over to Carrie Gracie to keep her".Speaking in the Radio 4 studio, Mr Humphrys reportedly asked Mr Sopel about "how much of your salary you are prepared to hand over to Carrie Gracie to keep her".
He then referred to "other men who are earning too much" at the BBC.He then referred to "other men who are earning too much" at the BBC.
Mr Sopel is understood to have replied that "if we are talking about the scope for the greatest redistribution I'll have to come back and say well yes Mr Humphrys".Mr Sopel is understood to have replied that "if we are talking about the scope for the greatest redistribution I'll have to come back and say well yes Mr Humphrys".
The presenter is then reported to have uttered a profanity and said that he was "still left with more [pay] than anybody else".The presenter is then reported to have uttered a profanity and said that he was "still left with more [pay] than anybody else".
Miriam O'Reilly, who won an ageism case against the BBC in 2011 after being dropped from Countryfile, described the exchange as "base, smug and condescending".Miriam O'Reilly, who won an ageism case against the BBC in 2011 after being dropped from Countryfile, described the exchange as "base, smug and condescending".
Claiming to have heard a recording of the chat, Ms O'Reilly said it represented the attitude of "back-slapping entitled males".Claiming to have heard a recording of the chat, Ms O'Reilly said it represented the attitude of "back-slapping entitled males".
She also said she had been dropped from the Today programme on Friday, when she was expecting to talk about equal pay.She also said she had been dropped from the Today programme on Friday, when she was expecting to talk about equal pay.
Deputy Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson asked in a tweet whether Mr Humphrys would be prohibited from presenting stories on the issue of gender impartiality.Deputy Lib Dem leader Jo Swinson asked in a tweet whether Mr Humphrys would be prohibited from presenting stories on the issue of gender impartiality.
Earlier this week, presenter Winifred Robinson - who had tweeted support for Ms Gracie - was taken off air, while Woman's Hour's Jane Garvey, a prominent campaigner for equal pay, said she was unable to conduct an interview with Ms Gracie for the show.Earlier this week, presenter Winifred Robinson - who had tweeted support for Ms Gracie - was taken off air, while Woman's Hour's Jane Garvey, a prominent campaigner for equal pay, said she was unable to conduct an interview with Ms Gracie for the show.
After the conversation between Mr Humphreys and Mr Sopel became public, Ms Garvey tweeted: "The Humphrys-Sopel exchange reveals, very neatly, what we're up against." After the conversation between Mr Humphrys and Mr Sopel became public, Ms Garvey tweeted: "The Humphrys-Sopel exchange reveals, very neatly, what we're up against."
A BBC spokeswoman said: "This was an ill-advised off-air conversation which the presenter regrets.A BBC spokeswoman said: "This was an ill-advised off-air conversation which the presenter regrets.
"The BBC is committed to getting its pay structures right and, as we have said, we are conducting a comprehensive analysis of presenter pay," she added."The BBC is committed to getting its pay structures right and, as we have said, we are conducting a comprehensive analysis of presenter pay," she added.