A newsreader who claims he was sacked for exposing alleged bullying in a BBC newsroom lacked the warm presenting style required, according to his ex-boss.

Rod Beards, managing editor of the BBC's South East Today programme, said there had been anxieties over Laurie Mayer's formal approach to presenting the show from the moment he was employed.

He insisted that a decision not to renew the presenter's contract was based on this and Mr Mayer's lack of support for editorial decisions - and not any other issue.

Mr Mayer, a former spokesman for Harrods owner Mohammed al Fayed, says he was harassed out of his job after making complaints to senior managers at the BBC about an "atmosphere of intimidation" in the newsroom, about which he claims nothing was done.

He is claiming that under "whistle-blowing" legislation, he suffered detrimental treatment because he highlighted the problems.

He is claiming unfair dismissal from his £69,000 a year post as chief presenter of the programme as well as breach of contract.

Mr Beards told the tribunal in Ashford, Kent, that managers at the new high-tech studio in Tunbridge Wells had given Mr Mayer a "screen test" when considering him for the post in 2001 as there were some concerns about his ability to be a regional news presenter.

Mr Beards said that these increased over the following months and contributed to a decision in 2002 to employ a second presenter.

He told the tribunal: "A regional news programme has to have warmth and friendliness and Laurie did not seem to share that view."

Asked by Gerard Clarke, for the BBC, to describe Mr Mayer's style of presenting, he said: "He was an old-fashioned news presenter.

"I think the best way of describing it is that the kind of things South East Today did after he left I couldn't conceive of doing with Laurie."

He referred to one example of a new presenter removing his chest hair to raise money for Children in Need.

He added: "His replacement was prepared to let his hair down and have fun."

Mr Beards said such problems led to the BBC deciding not to renew Mr Mayer's contract.

He denied the move was connected to claims he had blown the whistle on alleged bullying at the station.

He said Mr Mayer's decision to storm out of the studio in June last year minutes before the programme was due to be broadcast "had put a strain on everyone".

Mr Beards was also questioned about his relationship with assistant editor Davina Reynolds, who was at the centre of several allegations of bullying made by staff.

Asked if he had shown favouritism to Ms Reynolds because the couple were engaged, he said: "I would say that I went out of my way to support other people and suggest ideas to them against those of Davina. I would say I was harsher to Davina as a result."

The tribunal also heard from the BBC controller of the English regions, Andy Griffee, who said that he now conceded that a decision to employ two people at Tunbridge Wells with such a close relationship had been "unsuccessful".

However, he also said that the decision not to renew Mr Mayer's contract was based on problems with viewing figures and his style of presentation.

He said: "I began to form the opinion that Laurie's over serious and lacklustre presentation was holding back South East Today.

"My view about the programme was that audience growth was still very slow.

"The fact he had spoken to us about Davina did not form the reason to not renew his contract."

The tribunal later heard from Pat Loughrey, BBC director of nations and regions, who also sits on the Corporation's executive committee.

He visited Tunbridge Wells in May 2002 and had spoken to Mr Mayer about some problems in the newsroom but said the presenter had not talked about bullying or harassment.

However, he said: "He certainly gave a strong impression that individuals were being misused because of the close relationship between two members of the management team."

He was shocked to read the article by Mr Mayer published in the Mail on Sunday in June about allegations of bullying at the station, but insisted it did not prompt the decision to set up an internal inquiry.

Of the allegations made in the paper, he said: "They were far in excess of anything that had been relayed to me.

"The volume and tone of the accusations in that article were unrecognisable."

He said the internal inquiry, headed by former BBC official Richard Ayre, was prompted by a resolution passed by the National Union of Journalists asking for the matter to be investigated.

He said the inquiry had consequently found that the management style at the studio could be criticised, but no mention was made of bullying or harassment.

The tribunal was adjourned until today.