Pressure is growing on BBC Northern Ireland’s biggest names to disclose their salaries after the head of its governing body said presenters are free to reveal what they earn.

Sir Michael Lyons, who is chairman of the BBC Trust, made the disclosure while he was on air in Belfast yesterday.

He told Radio Ulster listeners that the broadcasting company would not take action against any presenter who volunteered how much they were paid.

His comments were made in response to a question from the DUP’s Gregory Campbell during yesterday’s Stephen Nolan Show.

For the past year Mr Campbell has consistently called on presenters like Mr Nolan to tell the public how much they earn.

However, he has repeatedly refused to disclose his salary due to a contract confidentiality clause.

The BBC has turned down Freedom of Information requests for presenter pay details across the network.

During yesterday’s programme, Sir Michael said: “I can guarantee we will not take any action against any presenter who voluntarily wants to tell the world how much they are paid.”

Mr Nolan responded on air by citing confidentiality requirements in contracts.

Last night Mr Campbell told the Belfast Telegraph: “Given that the public pay him, the public have a right to know.

“He now has no defence, no confidentiality, no secrecy clause. He is now flushed out and he has to answer.”

Mr Campbell said he believed BBC presenters should be put under the same scrutiny as MPs as well as BBC executives, because their salaries come from licence fees.

But during yesterday’s radio programme Sir Michael told listeners the Trust did not believe presenters fell under the same category as BBC executives because they were not responsible for resources or allocating money.

Earlier this year BBC News presenter Carrie Gracie told Labour peer Lord Foulkes during a live broadcast over the MPs expenses row that she earned £92,000.

And local Radio Ulster presenter Conor Bradford also revealed how much he was paid by the BBC for his work on Good Morning Ulster during an exchange with Mr Campbell.

“He has suffered no adverse circumstances,” Mr Campbell said last night. “He has not been sacked or moved from his post.”