BBC sorry for Clarkson's 'shoot strikers' comments

BBC sorry for Clarkson's 'shoot strikers' comments
BBC sorry for Clarkson's 'shoot strikers' comments (Image credit: PA Archive/Press Association Ima)

The BBC has apologised after Jeremy Clarkson declared that he would like to see striking public sector workers 'shot' in front of their families. The Top Gear presenter made his comments on BBC's The One Show on the evening of Britain's biggest public sector strikes in 30 years. He said of the strikers: "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've got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living." The broadcaster's comments sparked hundreds of angry comments on Twitter. Piers Morgan tweeted: "Clarkson can abuse - and hit (weakly..) - me all he likes. But what he said about the strikers just proves he's a nasty little twerp." Author Tony Parsons tweeted: "Jeremy Clarkson has misjudged the moment. Criticising striking public sector workers today is like sieg-heiling at Last Night of the Proms." KateakaMrsO tweeted: "First time I have ever complained about a programme, as I usually think people can use off button but Jeremy Clarkson a disgrace." A BBC spokesman said: "The One Show apologised at the end of the show to viewers who may have been offended by Jeremy Clarkson's comments."

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.