by business editor Trevor Sturgess

Angry trade union members have slammed BBC bosses over their "poor handling" of the sacking of television presenters Geoff Clark and Beverley Thompson.

Colleagues were shocked after the BBC South East Today anchors were told they were being replaced by the younger pairing of Rob Smith and Polly Evans at the end of October.

Sources within the BBC suggest that they first found out about their dismissal through "third parties and rumours."

Bosses apparently made their decision on the basis of allegedly negative comments by focus groups, although people close to the situation say the findings were "misinterpreted."

Viewers have rallied to the support of Clark and Thompson, both experienced journalists, urging the BBC to consider a decision that some suggest was made on ageist grounds, a claim fiercely denied by the BBC.

Now members of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and BECTU, which represents camera operators and engineers, at the BBC in Tunbridge Wells, have expressed their concern by passing a motion critical of management.

It says the unions "wish management to know that we are extremely concerned at the way that Bev and Geoff have been treated. While we respect management’s rights to change the presenter line-up we think that it has been poorly handled. For the presenters to hear they were to be axed via rumours and third parties is simply not acceptable. "

The unions went on to remind bosses of the BBC’s core values of being independent, impartial and honest, showing mutual respect and celebrating diversity "so that everyone can give their best." And that the corporation is "one BBC" in which great things happen when everyone works together.

"The joint unions believe you have failed in all three of the above values," they declared. Members also claimed the BBC had insulted Clark and Thompson by talking about "upping the journalism" and questioned the audience research that led them to take the decision.

"We hope you will give an undertaking that age will never be a factor in deciding who appears on screen and management acknowledge staff’s concern and anger over this matter and take steps to prevent newsroom morale being undermined."

The NUJ declined to comment. A BBC spokeswoman said there was nothing to add to its previous comments.