The BBC is being investigated by the Equality and Human Rights Commission over suspected pay discrimination against women.

The organisation said it had responded to complaints from female employees who believe they were not paid the same as men in equivalent roles.

An EHRC spokesman said: "Having reviewed all of the information received to date, the EHRC suspects that some women at the organisation have not received equal pay for equal work. It has therefore used its powers under the Equality Act to open an investigation which will relate to the BBC’s historic policy and pay practices."

If the BBC is found at the end of the investigation to have breached equal pay legislation and does not comply with the action required by the EHRC, it could be taken to court.

Lord Hall, the BBC director-general, has previously said: "I don’t believe there has been illegality in the BBC to a point where someone said, ‘You’re a woman, therefore you’re going to be paid less’."

But last year the corporation apologised to Carrie Gracie, the former China Editor, after conceding that she had been underpaid for years in comparison to male colleagues.

Damian Collins, chairman of the DCMS select committee, welcomed the investigation.