Former ABC managing director Michelle Guthrie is taking her ex-employer to court, according to several media sources.

As reported in The Australian, Guthrie lodged papers with the Fair Work Commission earlier this week, citing unfair dismissal.

Guthrie was fired half-way through her five-year term as managing director of the public broadcaster.

The move follows news last week communications minister Mitch Fifield knew Guthrie was to be sacked weeks prior to it happening.

The admission came while Fifield was speaking to the Senate this morning, however, the minister added he was unaware ex-ABC chair Justin Milne was pushing for two senior journalists to be fired.

Guthrie was sacked by the ABC board in the last week of September, following a reported stoush between her and then ABC chair Justin Milne after Milne recommended senior journalist Emma Alberici be fired for negative government reporting.

Justin Milne then resigned a week later.

The ABC has now appointed an “external, independent expert advisor” to look into claims made by Guthrie prior to her exit.

Just days before she was given the boot, Guthrie sent a letter to the ABC board asking they investigate a number of confidential claims which will now be looked into by the board.