An employment tribunal brought by Look East journalist Sally Chidzoy against the BBC was struck out for 'unreasonable conduct' because she was seen speaking to a reporter during the case.

Ms Chidzoy had taken the BBC to tribunal at the start of February claiming she had been victimised, harassed and sexually discriminated against after raising concerns about the BBC's editorial independence.

But after a week the tribunal suddenly ended.

The judge's decision, which was published on Thursday, stated the case was struck out after Ms Chidzoy was seen and heard by a BBC employee talking to a reporter during a break in giving evidence.

Ms Chidzoy said her discussion with the reporter from the Cambs Times, who was covering the case for this newspaper, was no more than the exchanging of pleasantries.

But the tribunal panel said it 'stretches the bounds of credulity to believe' the reporter did not ask Ms Chidzoy about the case.

According to the judgement, the word 'rottweiler' was overheard in the discussion between Ms Chidzoy and the reporter.

The panel said this was linked to Ms Chidzoy's evidence. Part of her case against the BBC was an email from a BBC manager describing her as a 'shitsu'(sic) and 'dangerous dog'.