McCririck given go-ahead to face Channel 4 at employment tribunal

John McCririck has been given the go-ahead to take Channel 4 to employment tribunal over his dismissal last year.

McCririck, 73, alleges Channel 4 and TV production company IMG Media Limited were motivated by age discrimination, which they strenuously deny.

A final hearing will now take place at a date to be decided following a pre-hearing judgment review by Employment Judge A M Snelson.

In a statement, McCririck said: "We have won a significant opening skirmish against the anonymous suits and skirts who control Channel 4.

"My legal team, solicitor Stephen Beverley, Sonya Patel and barrister Jennifer Eady QC, will now confront them at a full tribunal.

"My landmark £3m age discrimination claim is also on behalf of millions of employees whose merit and ability remain unimpaired but fearful of being fired just because of their age.

"Such an exemplary, punitive fine would ensure that never could age ever again be a factor in any dismissal.

"But I'm not doing this for the money. As I stated from the outset, legal action would cease at once if I got my job back."

Channel 4 reject McCririck's claim and say they will continue to fight it.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "We note the outcome of this preliminary hearing which had no bearing on the central issue of alleged age discrimination.

"We reject the suggestion that discrimination on the basis of age played any part in the decision not to include John McCririck in the Channel 4 Racing team from 2013 and we will continue to vigorously defend this claim."