BBC denies major websites were brought down by hackers over Jeremy Clarkson suspension
THE BBC have denied that their BBC News and BBC Sport websites were targeted by hackers angered by Jeremy Clarkson's suspension after the pages went down today.
People trying to access the websites were greeted with an error message and a picture of an old test card as they tried to log in around 1.30pm.
The services used by tens of millions of people weekly went down for around an hour and came days after a 'warning' from hackers Anonymous.
The so-called hacktivists reportedly wrote an open letter to the BBC saying they would bring down their websites following Mr Clarkson's suspension.
The veteran broadcaster is the subject of an investigation by the Beeb after what they dubbed as a "fracas" between the Top Gear presenter and a producer.
It was due to an internal system failure, which can happen when we are experiencing too much traffic
The BBC have denied that hackers were behind the BBC News and BBC Sport websites going down and said it was due to an internal system failure.
A spokesman said: "The website was down for about an hour but it is all back up and running now.
"It was due to an internal system failure, which can happen when we are experiencing too much traffic or if there is an issue with our servers.
"Some sites were working and some weren't so not everyone trying to access the site was affected."
They added that the error screen featuring the old BBC test card is the protocol when an outage of this kind occurs.
More than 850,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the BBC to reinstate Mr Clarkson following his "fracas" with Oisin Tymon.
While some Top Gear fans have trolled the producer on Twitter with one even saying that he would like his "entire family shot".
Others said they felt that Mr Tymon was "the most hated man in the UK".
The pair could come face-to-face at a BBC disciplinary hearing that is likely to be held next week.
The long-time Top Gear presenter hinted today that he might not return to the show after 27 years on it during two separate stints.
Speaking in his column in The Sun, Mr Clarkson said: "Nature made a mistake when it invented the dinosaur. It was too big, too violent.
"All the dinosaurs died and now, years later, no one mourns their passing. These big, imposing creatures have no place in a world which has moved on."
While on Thursday Mr Clarkson appeared to voice uncertainty over his future after he downgraded his Twitter bio from "presenter" to "probably a presenter" on Top Gear.
It was the first sign the famously bullish 54-year-old is realising his career on the BBC Two motoring show may be over.
Sources have told the Daily Express that the "fracas" took place after Mr Clarkson could not have steak for dinner at a hotel he was staying at.
The Top Gear presenter and his crew had a private dining room reserved for 8pm but did not arrive back at their country hotel until after 10pm.
By that time the restaurant chef had gone home and the only meal offered was a cheese platter, a meat platter and soup.
When Mr Clarkson was told steak was no longer available he erupted in fury and said: "So, there is no food".
It is understood producer Mr Tymon, 36, bore the brunt of his fury as Mr Clarkson seemingly looked to blame someone for not ensuring the chef stayed.
It has been claimed that the Top Gear presenter punched his producer but those reports are unconfirmed.
The "fracas" occurred on Simonstone Hall Hotel in Upper WensleyDale, North Yorkshire on Wednesday March 4.
News of his suspension from the BBC was revealed almost a week later on Tuesday March 10.
