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BBC Chief Tony Hall Gets Death Threat After Dropping Clarkson, 'Top Gear' Host

Hall's decision not to renew Clarkson's contract generated global headlines.
Image: British television presenter Clarkson leaves his home in west London
British television presenter Jeremy Clarkson leaves his home in west London March 26, 2015.TOBY MELVILLE / Reuters
/ Source: NBC News

LONDON — Police in Britain said on Sunday they were investigating a death threat against Tony Hall, the director general of the BBC, made on the day he dropped celebrity TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson from the "Top Gear" motoring show.

Hall's decision not to renew Clarkson's contract because of what the BBC said was Clarkson's unprovoked physical and verbal attack on his producer, generated global headlines and angered many of Clarkson's fans.

London's Metropolitan Police Service said in a statement it was looking into "an allegation of threats to kill," against Hall which was reported on March 25, the day Hall announced Clarkson would not return to the show.

"The threat was made by email," the police said. "Enquiries continue to establish from where the email was sent, although the content of the message suggests from outside the U.K."

No arrests had been made, it said. The police did not say if there was a connection between the death threats and the Clarkson case. When asked about the report, the BBC told Reuters it wouldn't comment on security matters.

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— Reuters