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March 30, 2015

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Threats against BBC chief under investigation

British police were yesterday investigating death threats against BBC Director-General Tony Hall following his decision to drop popular 鈥淭op Gear鈥 presenter Jeremy Clarkson.

Scotland Yard police headquarters confirmed it was examining allegations made on Wednesday, when Hall confirmed Clarkson鈥檚 contract would not be renewed at the end of March after he hit a producer.

鈥淧olice in Westminster (central London) are investigating an allegation of threats to kill. The allegation was reported to police on Wednesday,鈥 a spokesman said. 鈥淚nquiries continue. No arrests have been made.鈥

The Mail on Sunday newspaper said Hall鈥檚 home had been under 24-hour guard since the threat was received.

The weekly tabloid printed pictures showing security outside, claiming it was costing 1,000 pounds (US$1,500) a day to protect the corporation鈥檚 top executive.

A BBC spokeswoman said: 鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 comment on security matters.鈥

鈥淭op Gear鈥 is the world鈥檚 most popular factual television program, with 350 million viewers per week in 170 countries and regions.

Clarkson is seen by fans as a straight-talking man-of-the-people and by detractors as a boorish bigot.

More than a million people have signed a petition calling for Clarkson to be reinstated.

Clarkson鈥檚 contract was not renewed after an internal BBC probe found he physically attacked 鈥淭op Gear鈥 producer Oisin Tymon following a lengthy verbal tirade, reportedly because the presenter was annoyed at a lack of hot food after a day鈥檚 filming.

The 30-second attack saw Clarkson strike Tymon who suffered a swelling, bleeding lip.


 

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