Jeremy Clarkson is packing his bags for a road trip to unemployment. The controversial presenter has been sacked from Top Gear after allegedly assaulting the show’s producer.
The BBC confirmed today that Clarkson’s contract will not be renewed after an “unprovoked physical attack”. The incident, which occurred in a Yorkshire hotel on March 9, is said to have resulted after no hot food was provided after the day’s filming.
Clarkson was initially suspended following what the BBC called a “fracas” with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon. An investigation was conducted which found the producer was subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack, that left him requiring medical attention. “During the physical attack, Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip.”
Jeremy Clarkson has been involved in a string of controversies leading up to his dismissal from Top Gear.
The assault lasted “around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness”, the investigation found. “The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period” and “contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack” Tymon.
Following the skirmish, Tymon took himself to hospital for treatment. He did not file a formal complaint, believing he had been fired, however it is understood Clarkson reported himself to BBC bosses.
BBC’s director general Tony Hall says he has not taken the decision to sack Clarkson lightly and acknowledges it will most certainly “divide opinion”. After Clarkson was suspended, an online petition to reinstate him was signed by over a million members of the public.
Lord Hall admits Clarkson has made an extraordinary contribution to the BBC: “I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear.” However, he believes his dismissal was unavoidable. “For me a line has been crossed. There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations.”
In a statement, Tymon thanked the BBC for their “thorough and swift investigation into this very regrettable incident”. Having been involved with Top Gear for over a decade, he has had a close working relationship with Clarkson. He says Clarkson is “a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way”.
It is not yet clear whether Top Gear colleagues James May and Richard Hammond will stay on the show.
There is now a possibility that Clarkson will face charges following the incident. North Yorkshire police have requested a copy of the BBC’s investigation report, saying it will be “assessed appropriately and action will be taken… where necessary”.
English Prime Minister David Cameron has publicly backed the BBC’s decision saying “aggressive and abusive behaviour is not acceptable in the workplace”.
It is not necessarily the end of the road for Clarkson. It is thought his dismissal will spark a bidding war with ITV, Sky and Netflix, who are all said to be willing to pay millions to have him on their networks.
