Jeremy Clarkson complaints reach twenty thousand for One Show 'public sector strike' comments
The BBC has received over 20,000 complaints over comments made by Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson on The One Show about public sector strikers.
Matt Baker and Alex Jones, host the beebs One Show
Clarkson appeared on the BBC magazine series to promote a DVD but when the topic of conversation turned to public sector workers who were on strike the presenter caused outrage with his comments. When asked by presenter Alex Jones and Matt Baker about the public sector strikes Clarkson gave two replies, the first suggested he would like strikers to be ‘shot’ adding that it would be done ‘in front of their families’;
‘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.’
Matt Baker and Alex Jones quickly apologised for Clarkson’s comments but Twitter soon erupted by tweeters sharing their anger – and some their support – for Clarkson’s comments. The presenter also upset some viewers further with controversial comments he made about people who commit suicide on the railways saying;
‘I do sometimes use the train to come to London but it always stops in Reading. It’s always because somebody has jumped in front of it and somebody has burst. You just think, why have we stopped because we’ve hit somebody? What’s the point of stopping? It won’t make them better.’
Clarkson’s comments, on both counts, have caused outcry with some viewers. The BBC has received over 21,000 complaints about his comments but has also received 314 messages of support. Clarkson himself has apologised for his comments and Unison, one of the many unions involved in Wednesday’s strikes, have welcomed his apology.
The union also invited Clarkson to spend a day working with health-care workers.
