����ý

The ����ý 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 ����ý spokesperson said: "We only incur legal costs to the extent that is absolutely necessary."

No admission of liability

Ms Traynor announced she was leaving the ����ý in November 2021 with immediate effect, after a career at the corporation spanning more than 30 years.

A former ����ý 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 ����ý 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 ����ý in Northern Ireland over alleged bullying, but that case was also settled with no admission of liability in June 2023.

The ����ý agreed to pay Ms Ferguson's legal costs as part of the terms of the settlement.

According to the Belfast Telegraph, ����ý Northern Ireland (����ý NI) paid an overall total of £607,695 in legal costs in both cases.

In Ms Ferguson's case, the ����ý's legal costs to date were £337,193.

In Ms Traynor's case, the ����ý's legal advice costs, counsel fees and disbursements to date were £270,502.