I feared I'd be dumped in desert by Al Jazeera TV bosses

Josephine Burgin, who was head of planning for the Al Jazeera English channel in Qatar from April 2005 to April last year, is seeking more than £1 million in damages from the station claiming she suffered racial, sexual and religious discrimination.

The tribunal heard that the group's director of human resources had warned her not to threaten action because the channel might freeze her salary and escort her off the premises.

Miss Burgin, 49, said: "Paul Gibbs, the former director of programmes, had been escorted from the premises and left at a roundabout in 50C heat. His mobile was taken and he had no means of transport."

A journalist with 24 years experience in news broadcasting, Miss Burgin said she had worked "diligently" and had taken on extra responsibilities - but bosses at the channel "humiliated" her.

She told the London tribunal that she was informed last year that her contract would not be renewed because of a change in policy regarding couples working together.

Miss Burgin's partner - and now husband - Steve Clark was director of news at Al Jazeera English. He has since left the channel.

But Miss Burgin said the managing director of the channel, Nigel Parsons, was aware of their relationship when he recruited her and she said they had always kept work and private life separate.

"I had worked diligently and successfully in broadcasting for 24 years," she said. "This was especially so at Al Jazeera where I had interviewed, nurtured and appointed editorial teams.

"However, I had never before encountered such inefficient, inconsistent and malicious management as that practised by the managing director and his deputy." She said she was the only woman in the department whose contract was not renewed.

"It left me publicly humiliated, deeply hurt and professionally smeared to the extent that one year later I am still struggling to find suitable employment," she told the tribunal.

Miss Burgin also accused the channel's deputy managing director, Ibrahim Helal, of having anti-Western sentiments. Miss Burgin went on: "Almost immediately after joining I clashed with Mr Helal. It was obvious to me he harboured an anti-Western sentiment and wanted a pro-Arabic line.

"He had particular problems in dealing with women employees and particularly me because I was one of the only Western women in management.

"He was condescending and confrontational. He would simply ignore me and talk with my deputy. He would regularly shout over me in editorial meetings and roll his eyeballs if I asked a question."

Al Jazeera claims there were concerns over Miss Burgin's ability to carry out her job and had received complaints of bullying and harassment, the tribunal heard.

Miss Burgin said she had never received any complaints about her professional abilities or about her behaviour.

The tribunal continues.