Media Correspondent Torin Douglas: Dyke says he will be "scrupulously fair"

At the weekend, Tory sources told the BBC and newspapers the party had awarded a six-figure contract to monitor the corporation following the appointment of Greg Dyke as director general.

The Conservatives objected to the Mr Dyke as he had given the Labour Party £55,000 in donations during the past five years.

During the selection procedure, Tory leader William Hague made public a letter in which he described Mr Dyke as "totally unacceptable" for the job at the head of the BBC.

Conservative sources at the time said this amounted to a veto, but the BBC board of governors, led by Chairman Sir Christopher Bland, eventually picked Mr Dyke for the job.

Tories will be watching BBC political coverage for bias

Mr Dyke met with Mr Hague on Monday to try to calm the political row over his appointment.

But the Conservatives said there was "still a problem" with the replacement for Sir John Birt. Mr Dyke said the 50-minute meeting had been constructive.

Tory Chairman Michael Ancram said on Tuesday that the party was still considering appointing a media company to monitor the BBC.

Michael Ancram talking to the BBC's Breakfast News

He added: "Yesterday's meeting with Greg Dyke was not satisfactory so the chances are we will make an appointment unless there is an independent means of policing the BBC but we have not made an appointment so far."

In a statement issued by the BBC after the meeting, Mr Dyke said: "As director general, I will ensure that the BBC continues to act fairly and impartially and resists political pressures from any side."

William Hague: Appointment of Greg Dyke "unacceptable"

BBC sources said the Tories had asked the corporation to set up a special mechanism to monitor possible bias in the wake of Mr Dyke's appointment.

But they were told the BBC already had a series of procedures in place to ensure its output was impartial.

Sir Christopher, who also attended the meeting, said the corporation had reassured the Tories about its determination to remain independent.

He said: "It was a constructive meeting. We reaffirmed the BBC's independence from political pressure.