Fury over BBC’s cash for Clarkson punch pay-out
Jezza must pick up tab, say MPs
THE BBC is under fire from MPs for paying part of Jeremy Clarkson’s estimated £125,000 legal settlement with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon.
Clarkson, 55, yesterday apologised to the man he punched for failing to get him a steak, as part of a deal to make a racial discrimination and injury claim against him go away.
Irish Oisin launched the employment tribunal action against Clarkson and the BBC after the host gave him a bloody lip in a bust-up last March while filming Top Gear.
It is understood Clarkson, who was sacked, paid around £100,000 and the BBC shelled out around £25,000 of licence fee money.
Labour MP Ian Lucas, of the Culture committee, said: “This was gross misconduct by Clarkson. The BBC should not pay Clarkson, or anyone on his behalf, a penny.
“If it has been paid by the BBC we need to know how much, what for and why.”
SORRY
But a BBC insider insisted it was right to shell out, saying: “He was a BBC employee on BBC business so we have to contribute.”
Clarkson called Mr Tymon a “lazy, Irish c***” during the fracas at a North Yorks hotel.
In the apology, Clarkson said: “I would like to say sorry, once again, to Oisin Tymon for the incident and its regrettable aftermath.”
Clarkson was spotted on a jet ski yesterday in Barbados where he is filming for his new Amazon series. The settlement means there will be no employment tribunal hearing, which could have heaped further embarrassment on the shamed presenter.
Chris Tutton, an employment partner at Irwin Mitchell, said: “An employer can be jointly liable if it has not taken reasonable steps to prevent discrimination.
“It looks as though Clarkson and the BBC have agreed between themselves how much each will pay.”
Oisin is now back at the BBC, in a new role away from Top Gear.
A BBC spokesman said: “The action involving Mr Tymon and the BBC has been resolved.”
He added Oisin was a valued member of the BBC who behaved with integrity in dealing with a difficult situation in which he was completely blameless.