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Channel 4 has called in security experts after presenter Cathy Newman was hit by a wave of online abuse following an interview with a controversial Canadian psychologist.

Ben de Pear, editor of Channel 4 News, told his Twitter followers Ms Newman had been subjected to "vicious misogynistic abuse" following her interview with Jordan Peterson.

He said: "Our [Channel 4 News] on-screen journalists expect to be held to account for their journalism but the level of vicious misogynistic abuse, nastiness, and threat to [Cathy Newman] is an unacceptable response...

"Such is the scale of threat, we [at Channel 4 News] are having to get security specialists in to carry out an analysis.

"I will not hesitate to get the police involved if necessary...What a terrible indictment of the times we live in."

Ms Newman interviewed clinical psychologist Mr Peterson on Tuesday on the subject of gender.

A video of the full 30 minute discussion has so far received more than 1.6 million views and 36,000 comments on YouTube.

A spokesman for Channel 4 News told The Guardian: “Following her interview with psychology professor Jordan Peterson broadcast earlier this week, our presenter Cathy Newman has been the target of unwarranted and unacceptable misogynistic abuse and threats.

“As journalists in the public eye, our presenters expect criticism, but we will not tolerate this level of abuse towards our staff. We have taken immediate steps to ensure Cathy’s safety and security and continue to offer her our full support on this matter.”