We knew Sarah Montague was furious to discover, after 20 years at Today, that she was the lowest paid member of the presentation team - on £133k. We can but admire the way she's bounced her way into decent pay and the solo gig at The World At One.
There will those puzzled as to why two decades of unfair pay hasn't been resolved with Auntie in the nine months since Sarah realised what was going on.
If Sarah remains true to her principles, any deal will be made known to other 'BBC Women' and thus form a precedent. Sarah was paid through a company, on BBC advice. No Corporation pension or future employment rights. Nonetheless HMRC may come after her for back income tax, arguing her own accountants should have identified her as, effectively, a BBC full-time employee.
Compensation for salary differentials, plus pension and other benefits, and an HMRC indemnity would be a gentle opening bid. As would be publication of the full list of the managers who set Sarah's salary since 1997....
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