London, June 6: Two of the most respected broadcasters at the BBC have challenged the huge salaries that newsreaders are paid.

Andrew Marr, the outgoing political editor, said they received far too much for simply “reading an autocue” and John Humphrys, who presents the Today programme on Radio 4, said their jobs required “no brain”.

Both made their remarks at the Hay-on-Wye literary festival. They named no names, but they could only be referring to the likes of Fiona Bruce and Huw Edwards.

Although Marr, 46, and Humphrys, 62, earn around ?150,000 a year, their income is dwarfed by the deals struck by some newsreaders. Bruce, 41, who presents BBC1’s 10 ’Clock News and Crimewatch, is said to earn ?400,000. Edwards, 43, another 10 ’Clock News presenter is believed to earn ?250,000.

The BBC said their salaries reflected the “market price”.