A BBC spokesperson said: “Samira Ahmed is an excellent journalist and presenter and we regret that this case ever had to go to Tribunal.

"We’re committed to equality and equal pay. Where we’ve found equal pay cases in the past we’ve put them right. However, for us, this case was never about one person, but the way different types of programmes across the media industry attract different levels of pay.

"We have always believed that the pay of Samira and Jeremy Vine was not determined by their gender. Presenters - female as well as male - had always been paid more on Points Of View than Newswatch.

"We’re sorry the Tribunal didn’t think the BBC provided enough evidence about specific decisions - we weren’t able to call people who made decisions as far back as 2008 and have long since left the BBC.

"In the past our pay framework was not transparent and fair enough, and we have made significant changes to address that; we’re glad this satisfied the Tribunal that there was sufficient evidence to explain her pay now.

"We’ll need to consider this judgment carefully. We know Tribunals are never a pleasant experience for anyone involved. We want to work together with Samira to move on in a positive way.”

BBC Press Office