BBC journalist Dot Kirby is to leave her high-profile Newsline jobs after settling a discrimination case against her employer.

Ms Kirby, a National Union of Journalists activist, has accepted ill-health retirement.

The health correspondent has dealt with Multiple Sclerosis for 20 years.

Last year Ms Kirby submitted complaints against the BBC on grounds of disability, age and sex, alleging victimisation and discrimination.

The corporation denied all allegation, and has now agreed to settle the dispute without accepting liability.

According to reports, the journalist, who has held her special correspondent status since the mid-1990's, will receive the equivalent of one year's salary.

Last night, the Equality Commission said: "The BBC's health correspondent, Dot Kirby, has reached an agreement with the BBC in resolution of complaints she made to the Industrial Tribunal.

"Dot Kirby has been employed by the BBC since August 1986, and has been health correspondent since 1994. She has had MS for 20 years and her condition worsened over the past ten years."

Allegation were made to the Industrial Tribunal by Ms Kirby in May and October 2008.

She claimed to have had suffered direct disability discrimination, disability related discrimination, victimisation, failure to make reasonable adjustments, sex discrimination and age discrimination, all claims which the BBC denied.

"Without admission of liability, Ms Kirby and the BBC have now reached an agreement," an Equality Commission spokesperson said.

Ms Kirby is the latest high profile female journalist to leave BBC Northern Ireland in recent months.

Late last year, newsreader Rose Neill left the Newsline anchor seat.

(PR/JM)