The BBC's Creative Director, who was also Chairman of the recently-defunct Kids Company, has been accused of "tearing into" a reporter investigating sexual abuse allegations at the charity.
According to BBC sources Alan Yentob launched into a verbal attack on the BBC's special news correspondent Lucy Manning.
The tirade was overheard by staff working within the lobby of the Corporation's £1bn Central London headquarters, New Broadcasting House.
Last night Mr Yentob admitted having words with Miss Manning, telling the Daily Mail: "I have a apologised. I didn't have a go about her. I said 'this is about the kids'."
Mr Yentob is said to be furious at the BBC's coverage of recent events within Kids Company, which closed on Wednesday night amid allegations of financial mismanagement.
Last night, in a live interview on Channel 4 News, the 68-year-old former Controller of BBC One said his frustration stemmed from the fact that Kids Company hadn't been given the chance to respond to criticism by the BBC's Newsnight programme.
However, Emily Maitlis, who (currently) presents the BBC Two current affairs programme, refuted Yentob's claims by tweeting "Newsnight was in contact with Kids Company right the way through, actually".
Mr Yentob confirmed that he had approached Newsnight team a matter of hours before its probe into Kids Company was broadcast. He also confirmed that he had accompanied Kids Company Chief Executive, Camila Batmanghelidjh, during an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
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