East Derry MP Gregory Campbell is questioning how much the BBC paid in legal fees before settling the industrial tribunal case taken by former news presenter Donna Traynor.
Mr Campbell said there are competing pressures between Ms Traynor's privacy and the public's right to know how much of their money was spent.
"Normally speaking the individual would have a right to some sort of privacy in terms of any redundancy or any settlement which they might reach with their former employer," Mr Campbell told Talkback on Radio Ulster.
"But I think what trumps the privacy is the public purse because it is not just the settlement and whatever that amount which we are speculating on but how much legal fees incurred."
The former BBC Newsline presenter received a pay out "consistent" with a redundancy package after 33 years working for the broadcaster, the broadcaster said.
Ms Traynor had accused the BBC and its director Adam Smyth, formerly head of news, of sex, age and disability discrimination. The case was settled with no admission of liability by either party.
“We settled Donna’s claims at a level of payment consistent with what we would pay out in a redundancy-type arrangement," a BBC spokesperson said.
Normal BBC policy on redundancy is one month’s pay for each year of service up to a maximum of 12 months’ pay. The policy also states the maximum amount is £150,000.
However, the parties are believed to have settled on an amount substantially more than the maximum 12 months. There was no information revealed on legal costs.
BBC sources refuted media reports that the settlement was over £1m but there was no information relating to legal costs.
The tribunal sat for a single day of public hearings, with Ms Traynor's counsel Paddy Lyttle claiming the former news reader was subjected to more than a year of "bullying and harassment" after objecting to changes that would have seen her role on the flagship television news programme reduced.
On Saturday, Traynor said: “There has been speculation about the amount to be paid in the settlement of my employment tribunal case against the BBC and Adam Smyth.
“This figure has been exaggerated.
“While I am very happy with what was agreed, I want to make it clear that I brought this case for more important reasons than simply compensation. I believe I have achieved this and now intend to put the matter behind me.”
Mr Campbell said it would be better to know how much has been spent by the BBC in settlement and legal costs.
