BBC’s ex Leicester City reporter Ian Stringer claims unfair sacking

Mr Stringer agreed he had sought charitable donations for the endeavour adding: “I accept it is an email asking for help.”

The tribunal heard how when Mr Stringer was investigated for his conduct he appeared to admit he had breached “various BBC policies and with the benefit of hindsight” accepted a “lapse of judgement”.

In evidence, Mr Stringer said the BBC had not supplied the “level of training” required. He added: “I don’t believe what I did was gross misconduct.”

He accused the BBC of having a “changeable” policy on social media use and claimed some senior managers had used swear words in their social media posts.

“The BBC did not seem particularly to have grasped the juggernaut of social media. I would have welcomed a level of management to assist me with these policies.”

The hearing continues.