Clarkson's Strike Comments Rack Up 21,000 Complaints

The BBC has received some 23,000 complaints over comments made by journalist and broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson- with Clarkson and the BBC now having both apologised.

The complaints, 21,331 in total, relate to the Top Gear presenter’s solution to the public sector strike. He told BBC’s The One Show that those people on strike should be “taken out and shot”.

Clarkson’s comments fuelled many angry reactions and left The One Show presenters, Matt Baker and Alex Jones, stunned and embarrassed.

However some viewers applauded Clarkson’s controversial comments and said they felt that they were obviously meant as a joke.

Prime Minister David Cameron said it was "a silly thing to say... I'm sure he didn't mean it".

Others such as Comedian Dave Gorman felt baying for Clarkson’s blood and calling for him to be sacked was extreme.

He said: "It all seemed a bit out of order to me."

"Yes, I thought it was offensive and no, I didn't find it funny... but I don't remember arriving at a place where we decided we had a right to not be offended. I don't like the sound of that place. I don't like it at all,” continued Mr Gorman.

Nonetheless trade union, Unison, called for him to be sacked however since Clarkson’s apology the Union has welcomed the apology and invited Clarkson to spend a day with a healthcare assistant.

The deputy general secretary of the UK's largest union, Karen Jennings told the BBC:

"He's recognised that he went too far in saying what he said and what we're doing now is extending our hand to him to come and work with a healthcare assistant to see just how they work and the healthcare they deliver.

"I think he would enjoy that."

(LB)