Former BBC China editor Carrie Gracie has voiced frustration at the broadcaster’s delays in tackling a “secretive illegal pay culture”.

Prominent women linked to the organisation have also reacted online to a report claiming the BBC has made little progress in reforming pay practices, after it was alleged last year it harboured an “invidious culture” of inequality.

Gracie was at the heart of a legal storm over allegations of discriminatory pay at the BBC, when it was revealed she was paid considerably less than her fellow editor in the US, Jon Sopel.

Following the publication of a Digital Culture Media and Sport Committee (DCMS) report claiming women are still paid “far less” than men at the corporation, Gracie reacted on Twitter.

She posted: “18 months ago #bbcwomen sent 1st open letter, a year ago I resigned China post over secretive, illegal pay culture. It’s 2019 now. Many women are still waiting for #equalpay.”

The wait for equal pay was branded “disheartening and disrespectful” by the BBC Women group following the latest report.

International correspondent Orla Guerin posted: “Many BBC women – and women everywhere – still fighting for equal pay.”

BBC education editor Branwen Jeffreys said: “Powerfully worded report #equalpay @CommonsCMS having considered BBC response ‘We are very disappointed that the BBC has failed to acknowledge that a pay discrimination problem exists within the Corporation.'”

Samira Ahmed concluded there were some “strong words” in the report into pay practices at the BBC.

The DCMS Committee said it would be monitoring the pay situation closely.

The BBC said it did not agree that there was a systemic problem at the broadcaster, and steps had been taken to address historic inequalities.