Jeremy Clarkson was simply misquoted

In this complete report from the BBC, we hear the ful exchange.
Clarkson said "fantastic" as they had left the British capital London "empty". It was "like being back in the 70s", according to Clarkson. He went on to caution that "we have to balance this though, because this is the BBC" before saying of the striking public sector workers: "Frankly, I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families. I mean, how dare they go on strike when they have these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living?" Immediately after the remarks were made, The One Show presenters clarified that these comments was personal opinion, to which Clarkson replied: "They're not. I've just given two views for you." Presenter Matt Baker apologised about the comments before the end of the broadcast.
In the aftermath of the broadcast, by yesterday morning BBC Audience Services were contacted in relation to the matter 21,954 times, with 619 comments and 21,335 complaints amongst them. Clarkson was supported in 314 messages. A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed that the The One Show episode would not be made available to view on BBC iPlayer, the BBC's on-demand service, because the episode generated so many complaints.

This report highlights other explosive things Clarkson has said over the years.

To my mind the expression on newsreader Hue Edwards' face said it all.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Jeremy Clarkson
• execute
• shoot
• strikers
• misquote
• Gordon Brown

[ConnorL1995]

Clarkson for PM.

[saint2sin]

just when i thought the human race couldn't get anymore stupid...... to all you self righteous pricks out there... it was a joke... get over yourselves

[kuryman9]

Holy man..so many ppl say this out loud as well who gives a shit he is on a car show it doesn't affect anything that he thinks that union workers should be shot...if he was a politician then maybe it should be taken seriously like this. But he's not so STFU if u sack him ABOUT 300 MILLION PPL WILL RAGE

[jazzmunky]

If it was supposed to be a joke it wasn't very funny, just lame sarcasm...I don't see why he's so popular, frankly.

[sprPee]

they should be shot, greedy cunts

[UltromanTheTacoman]

Jeremy Clarkson has a great sense of humour. At least 21,335 brits don't

[DjSpExZoNe]

the person who threw a pie on clarkson's face? I would have that person "shot in front of its family" XD

PS: IT WAS A BLOODY JOKE

[MatthewDavidParr]

It was a joke.

[liverstoner]

good god people, are you all retarded or something

[alirezadoobs]

why Karen Jennings ( 1:12) talks like as if she's constipated?

[0rcos]

U should have got him in the fanny ( custard pie )

[welshforever95]

Does no sod understand that this was a joke. On a BBC show, opinions must be balanced, neutral, unbiased. That is what Clarkson was emphasising. For Christ sake, the guy is a presenter and a comedian, he was expected to make comedic comments on the public sector strikes. He had already made comments in support of the strikes, and then to emphasise the (stupid) fact that opinions must be balanced, countered his original argument with something totally ludicrous. THAT'S THE JOKE!