The Director-General of the BBC is being protected by an elite squad of bodyguards after receiving a chilling death threat over the sacking of Jeremy Clarkson, the Daily Mail reported on Sunday.
Tony Hall and his wife Cynthia have been guarded round the clock at their home since a terrifying email was sent to the BBC just hours after he took the dramatic decision to drop the controversial Top Gear star.
Last night Scotland Yard confirmed officers were investigating the 'threat to kill' made on Wednesday, after the BBC decided it was 'credible' and alerted police.
The BBC's head of security put out an urgent appeal for ex-Special Forces personnel to take part in the top-secret operation to protect Lord Hall, at a cost to licence payers estimated at more than £1,000 a day.
A security source told this newspaper: 'There was a sudden urgency on Wednesday to find an eight-man security team to protect the Director-General of the BBC.
The Director-General became a target after taking the final decision to axe Clarkson, the BBC's biggest star, from his £1 million-a-year role presenting the Corporation's biggest global money-spinner.
Scotland Yard said last night: 'Police in Westminster are investigating an allegation of threats to kill. The allegation was reported to police on Wednesday. Enquiries continue. No arrests have been made.'
The BBC added: 'We wouldn't comment on security matters.'