BBC Look East journalist Sally Chidzoy has lodged an appeal after her harassment, bullying and discrimination case against her bosses was thrown out on a technicality.

BBC Look East journalist Sally Chidzoy has lodged an appeal after her harassment, bullying and discrimination case against her bosses was thrown out on a technicality.

Ms Chidzoy’s case was being heard at Cambridge in February but was dismissed after BBC lawyers argued she had spoken to Cambs Times journalist Sarah Cliss during an adjournment.

She had alleged she was harassed and discriminated against after first raising concerns in 2013 about her line manager’s links to a charity she was investigating.

The 56-year old also said she was worried about the level of influence North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb, who was a health minister at the time, was exerting on the BBC.

It was during the latter stages of the case when a BBC barrister complained to the tribunal chairman, Judge Michael Ord, that Ms Chidzoy had been seen speaking with Cambs Times journalist Sarah Cliss.

The judge later ruled that Ms Chidzoy had been guilty of unreasonable conduct by speaking with the journalist and dismissed her claim. He argued that it stretched the bounds of incredulity to suggest they had not discussed the case.

Despite the fact Ms Chidzoy had almost finished giving evidence when she spoke to Ms Cliss, the judge said her actions had irreparably damaged trust.

He said: “It is the fatal damage to our trust in the claimant and the way the case is conducted on her behalf that has led us to the unanimous conclusion that it was not possible for a fair trial of any of the issues

“Accordingly, the claimant has been guilty of unreasonable conduct.”

Ms Cliss said: “The conversation with Sally was mostly general chit chat about news desks and their inability to give correct details.

“I was late arriving because I was told the tribunal was starting an hour later than it actually did. We were laughing that that was nothing unusual.

“Sally said she was glad that someone was there to cover the tribunal and yes the word Rottweiler was mentioned – but it was me that said it in reference to myself. “Apart from Sally’s solicitor, who asked me for a written statement at the time, no one from the court or the BBC has asked me about the conversation.”

The word ‘Rottweiler’ had been overhead by the BBC’s legal team and the judge agreed it was linked to the proceedings. In one part of her evidence Ms Chidzoy claims to have been described as ‘Sally Shitsu’ by a line manager.