By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 07:58 EST, 22 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:58 EST, 22 January 2013 . Quit: Alice Arnold left her job at the BBC in December after 20 years . Former BBC newsreader Alice Arnold has admitted she is now free to talk about gay issues since she left the corporation. Alice Arnold – the partner of one of . the corporation’s star presenters, Clare Balding – said she could not voice her opinion when she worked at the BBC. In an interview with the Gaydio network, Ms Arnold said quitting her role as a Radio 4 newsreader in December  has now given her the freedom to discuss a range of issues. In the interview at the weekend she was asked if she would now become 'more of a spokeswoman for marriage equality.' Ms Arnold, who lives in West London, replied 'Yeah, absolutely.' She added: 'I wasn’t allowed to give my opinion on equal marriage when I was reading the news. 'If you are reading the news you are absolutely bound not to have an . opinion inside or outside the BBC on any of those topics so I was not . allowed to talk about it.' 'If I ever did an interview for the press I wasn't allowed to express an opinion on that and of course I had an opinion so it releases me now to be able to speak about it.' When one of the presenters described how they got 'really, really angry' listening to gay marriage debates in the Parliament, Ms Arnold agreed saying 'It brings out . some horrible stuff doesn’t it and it brings out some very unkind . thoughts and expressions, I think. Speaking out: Alice Arnold right, – the partner of one of the corporation’s star presenters, Clare Balding, left, – said her opinion was stifled when she worked at the BBC . 'That is quite disconcerting when an . argument comes up about it and you are suddenly realise that people do . not treat you equally and don’t think of you equally and it is hurtful.' Since . leaving BBC Radio 4 after 20 years, she has also changed her Twitter . bio, which now reads: 'Ex-radio 4 newsreader. Can say what I like now!' She . has previously spoken out against the corporation, saying earlier this . month the BBC is too concerned with the appearance of its female . presenters, according to one of its former newsreaders . She told the London Evening Standard: . 'You look at men of a certain age or appearance who are on TV and . think: "If you were a woman, you wouldn't be there.' Union: Ms Arnold entered into a Civil Partnership with television presenter Clare Balding in 2006 - the pair live in London . 'It's a constant struggle in a culture that prizes looks and youth so highly, but the BBC needs to stand up and say "No". 'Clare is a very good example of breaking that mould.' Ms Arnold, 50, said her partner has got where she is through 'talent'. She . told the newspaper: 'If you're in a position where people will look at . you and listen to you then you have to grasp that opportunity. We both . feel very strongly about it.' In . a further blow to the BBC, Ms Arnold also criticised the Today . programme, Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs show, for a lack . of female voices. She said the show 'badly' lets Radio 4 down by having just Sarah Montague out of five presenters. The . former actor and lawyer said it is 'such a missed opportunity' but . praised the station as a whole for using 'serious' women presenters. Ms Arnold  entered into a Civil Partnership with television presenter Clare Balding in 2006. Speaking about the union last month she said 'We are legally bound to each other. It’s lovely but a bit of a mouthful. ‘Are you married?’ people ask. ‘I am civilly partnered,’ I reply. 'It doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue.'
Alice Arnold left her position as Radio 4 newsreader in December .
She entered into a Civil Partnership with Clare Balding in 2006 .
By . Jill Reilly . PUBLISHED: . 07:58 EST, 22 January 2013 . | . UPDATED: . 12:58 EST, 22 January 2013 . Quit: Alice Arnold left her job at the BBC in December after 20 years . Former BBC newsreader Alice Arnold has admitted she is now free to talk about gay issues since she left the corporation. Alice Arnold – the partner of one of . the corporation’s star presenters, Clare Balding – said she could not voice her opinion when she worked at the BBC. In an interview with the Gaydio network, Ms Arnold said quitting her role as a Radio 4 newsreader in December  has now given her the freedom to discuss a range of issues. In the interview at the weekend she was asked if she would now become 'more of a spokeswoman for marriage equality.' Ms Arnold, who lives in West London, replied 'Yeah, absolutely.' She added: 'I wasn’t allowed to give my opinion on equal marriage when I was reading the news. 'If you are reading the news you are absolutely bound not to have an . opinion inside or outside the BBC on any of those topics so I was not . allowed to talk about it.' 'If I ever did an interview for the press I wasn't allowed to express an opinion on that and of course I had an opinion so it releases me now to be able to speak about it.' When one of the presenters described how they got 'really, really angry' listening to gay marriage debates in the Parliament, Ms Arnold agreed saying 'It brings out . some horrible stuff doesn’t it and it brings out some very unkind . thoughts and expressions, I think. Speaking out: Alice Arnold right, – the partner of one of the corporation’s star presenters, Clare Balding, left, – said her opinion was stifled when she worked at the BBC . 'That is quite disconcerting when an . argument comes up about it and you are suddenly realise that people do . not treat you equally and don’t think of you equally and it is hurtful.' Since . leaving BBC Radio 4 after 20 years, she has also changed her Twitter . bio, which now reads: 'Ex-radio 4 newsreader. Can say what I like now!' She . has previously spoken out against the corporation, saying earlier this . month the BBC is too concerned with the appearance of its female . presenters, according to one of its former newsreaders . She told the London Evening Standard: . 'You look at men of a certain age or appearance who are on TV and . think: "If you were a woman, you wouldn't be there.' Union: Ms Arnold entered into a Civil Partnership with television presenter Clare Balding in 2006 - the pair live in London . 'It's a constant struggle in a culture that prizes looks and youth so highly, but the BBC needs to stand up and say "No". 'Clare is a very good example of breaking that mould.' Ms Arnold, 50, said her partner has got where she is through 'talent'. She . told the newspaper: 'If you're in a position where people will look at . you and listen to you then you have to grasp that opportunity. We both . feel very strongly about it.' In . a further blow to the BBC, Ms Arnold also criticised the Today . programme, Radio 4's flagship news and current affairs show, for a lack . of female voices. She said the show 'badly' lets Radio 4 down by having just Sarah Montague out of five presenters. The . former actor and lawyer said it is 'such a missed opportunity' but . praised the station as a whole for using 'serious' women presenters. Ms Arnold entered into a Civil Partnership with television presenter Clare Balding in 2006. Speaking about the union last month she said 'We are legally bound to each other. It’s lovely but a bit of a mouthful. ‘Are you married?’ people ask. ‘I am civilly partnered,’ I reply. 'It doesn’t exactly trip off the tongue.'
January 2013 . Quit: Alice Arnold left her job at role as a Radio 4 newsreader in December  has now Arnold entered into a Civil Partnership with television presenter Clare Balding in 2006 - the