hodgy0_2

Read the report - Clarkson followed him, the sustained verbal assault did not happen in situ

Geezer

This sums up how ridiculous this has all got and a few of the comments in this thread - though not as vitriolic - hint at similar feelings.

Humanity showing its true colours.

hodgy0_2

Yep, I call them the "yeah but's"

Turbohot

LOL. Yeahbuts and flappy winged fence perchers are the ones that keep the debates going, though.

f1_fan

iTrader: (9)

At the end of the day people should be ashamed of themselves for making this story seem a lot more important than it is. A TV presenter has assaulted someone at work and unsurprisingly been removed form his position. That's it really and how anyone can defend what he has done is beyond me.

I detest the BBC as an organisation, but they are right on this occasion. End of!

Now let's all move on

Devildog

^^^ This

No one takes 30 minutes of verbal abuse and just sits there and takes it without either walking off or retaliating.

Its been a long day, you want food, its not there, alcohol is involved, tempers flare, an argument ensues and somone gets a cut lip. Its life, it happens.

What is being forgotten about in all the "acceptable conduct in the workplace chat" is that Clarkson is not an "employee" of the BBC. He's self employed and (was) operating under a contract. There's every possibility that the "producer" it is claimed he "hit" may also be self employed and working under a contract and not an employee either. Its common place in that industry.

As such the normal rules of what an employer (in this case the BBC) must do to ensure the safety of its employees under employment law, and the conduct that employees must adhere to, don't apply to Clarkson. That's why the BBC has simply not renewed his contract (or more correctly agreed a new one for next year). If the producer was an employee of the BBC, then of course the BBC have a legal obligation to protect its employees and probably had no option other than to do what they've done.

hodgy0_2

read the report - the verbal assault took place in multiple locations

inside and outside the hotel

Devildog

I have and that's irrelevant. Prolonged is prolonged, however long it actually was. What was stopping the propducer leaving the vicinity?

hodgy0_2

lol, he did leave the vicinity - that's what inside and outside means

Turbohot

Devildog

Not if vicinity is "the hotel" smart ****

neil-h

Have to say that's pretty decent of Clarkson. He could've quite easily rode off and ignored the press but he took the time to make that one point.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-32083181

Oh and from that HuffingtonPost link, is it just me or does Nigel Farage seem to fill the gap quite well?

hodgy0_2

well he did drive to A&E

does THAT count

Devildog

Do you work at being a **** or does it just come naturally?

Turbohot

Some people are questioning THAT as well. They're saying that if he was dizzy, how on earth could he drive to A&E himself? How could he??

Brun

Don't know where that came from

neil-h

Because he was a bit dizzy, not medically blind.

WRXrowdy

iTrader: (2)

And his co hosts will be Graham Norton and Dale Winton. The show is to be renamed Top Gayer.
I'm guessing star in a reasonably priced car will be out the window, the cool wall (seems to have died a death anyway) although I can foresee Clarkson pushing his luck with star in a reasonably shyte car and an untamed racing driver called the stag or some such, just to raise two fingers to the beeb. Top Gear will cease to exist or change dramatically anyway so may not be an issue.

Turbohot

Exactly. You tell them, Neil.

albob

Dermot O'Leary is leaving X-Factor ; Maybe he will do a 'swop' with JC !!!

DYK

sabine schmitz is the replacement of Clarkson maybe.We don't want the likes of Dermot or Davina X factor BB type presenters..... meh

dpb

Jodie Kidd ??!

Not quite sure we'd get the German "humour"

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

Germans are alright and the women are hot to trot too.

DYK

Or Jay Kay damn I'd love for him to replace Clarkson but don't think that would happen.

Maz

iTrader: (34)

Jay bellend of the highest order Kay? No thanks, although I really enjoyed his performance in this clip.

ditchmyster

iTrader: (7)

I like Jk as a performer but he does have a propensity for making himself look a right d1ck head.

RA Dunk

Replace Clarkson? Have any of you seen what happened to Two and a Half Men when they 'tried' to replace Charlie Sheen?

Hopefully this will kick off, http://www.carsceneuk.com/?p=11553 the haters can watch the boring reviews of Ford Fiestas and Renault Clio's on the BBC while the rest of us can be entertained by Clarkson and Co on Sky..

An0n0m0us

what an utter **** that bloke is and fantastic headbutt from the photographer. I think the BBC would rather take Clarkson back than have that embarrassment anywhere near the BBC.

DYK

Hahahaha

neil-h

Why's everyone so sure that Clarkson will continue? You've got to ask, what was his motivation for reporting himself to the powers that be? He's 55 this year and has more than enough money to retire on, I wouldn't be surprised if he calls it a day and enjoys an early retirement.

As for Top Gear, if the bbc have any sense they'll let it die. They won't be able to match the success they had in the Clarkson years just by replacing it and rehashing it as a 'proper car show' is a daft idea because no body watches 'proper car shoes' in the grand scheme of things (just look at 5th gear).