The ongoing battle to protect the identity of The Stig may soon be facing a human rights battle.

The Stig, the famously anonymous and silent test driver on the BBC’s popular Top Gear series, has apparently penned an autobiography, which the BBC are trying to prevent from being published as this would undoubtedly cause much of the mystique around the character to be lifted.

The BBC also states that such a book would be a violation of the conditions of The Stig’s contract, and is threatening legal action against the author-driver. This in turn has sparked a wave of protest in regards to the freedom of speech rights, with legal experts saying that The Stig could argue that such a block would be in violation of Human Rights laws.

It is believed that only six people know the actual identity of The Stig, including Top Gear presenters James May, Richard Hammond and Jeremy Clarkson. It was the latter who explained that the name ‘stig’ came from his school days and referred to a new student. Despite training Hollywood celebrities for Top Gear’s ‘Star in a Reasonably Priced Car’ segment, even the A-listers are prevented from knowing The Stig’s true identity owing to his contract clause which states that he must never reveal himself, to anybody.

Rumours are that The Stig has been unhappy that his fellow Top Gear members have been able to use promotional products and book deals to make considerable sums, and that the masked one simply wants to jump onboard.