28 July 2014 Last updated at 12:00
Top Gear Burma episode breached Ofcom rules
The show saw Jeremy Clarkson and his co-hosts face a series of challenges
The show saw Jeremy Clarkson and his co-hosts face a series of challengesJeremy Clarkson begs for forgiveness in video message as he admits his Top Gear recording quoting the ‘eeny meeny’ rhyme did sound like he used the n-word
- Top Gear presenter asked for forgiveness in video message on Twitter
- He said that when listening carefully it did 'appear' he had used the n-word
- But he said he did 'everything in his power' to ensure it wasn't transmitted
- The 54-year-old said he 'loathes' the word and said he was 'horrified'
- Clarkson allegedly used the racist term while reciting rhyme during filming
- Tweeting about the furore, he said: 'I did not use the n-word. Never use it.'
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has ‘begged’ for public forgiveness after being caught on camera appearing to use the n-word during filming of the hit BBC series.
In unaired footage the 54-year-old presenter was heard reciting the rhyme 'eeny, meeny, miny, mo' before apparently muttering 'catch a n***** by his toe'.
Clarkson took to Twitter earlier today to deny he used the offensive term and has now released a video statement saying he is ‘mortified and horrified’ that it sounded as though he did use racist language.
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Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson said he had made every effort to make sure he did not use the racist slur, but realised it might have sounded as though he had for which he said he was 'mortified and horrified'
The TV presenter 'begged' for forgiveness in the video message which he posted on his official Twitter account
Mr Clarkson, shown filming for Top Gear, when it is alleged he used the n-word - a claim he denies
Responding to the claims that he used the n-word while reciting the nursery rhyme, the TV presenter told his 3.3million Twitter followers that he had made every effort to make sure he did not use the slur, but realised it might have sounded as though he had.
In the video message posted on his official Twitter account, he said: 'A couple of years ago I recorded an item for Top Gear, in which I quoted the rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny Moe.
'Now, of course, I was well aware that in the best known version of this rhyme, there is a racist expression that I was extremely keen to avoid.
'The full rushes show that I did three takes. In two I mumbled where the offensive word would normally occur and in the third, I replaced it all together with the word "teacher".
'Now when I viewed this footage, several weeks later, I realised that in one of the mumbled versions, if you listen very carefully with the sound turned right up, it did appear that I'd actually used the word I was trying to obscure.
'I was mortified by this, horrified, it is a word I loath. And I did everything in my power to make sure that that version did not appear in the programme that was transmitted.
A solemn-looking Jeremy Clarkson said the item was recorded a 'couple of years ago' and said he 'did everything in my power to make sure that that version did not appear in the programme that was transmitted'
'In fact, I have here the note I sent at the time to the production office.
'And it says, "I didn't use the n-word here but I've just listened through my headphones and it sounds like I did. Is there another take that we could use?"
'Please be assured I did everything in my power to not use that word.
'And as I'm sitting here begging your forgiveness for that fact that obviously my efforts weren't quite good enough.
JEREMY CLARKSON'S STATEMENT:
'Ordinarily I don't respond to newspaper allegations, but on this occasion I feel I must make an exception.
'A couple of years ago I recorded an item for Top Gear, in which I quoted the rhyme Eeny, Meeny, Miny Moe.
'Now, of course, I was well aware that in the best known version of this rhyme, there is a racist expression that I was extremely keen to avoid.
'The full rushes show that I did three takes.
'In two I mumbled where the offensive word would normally occur and in the third, I replaced it all together with the word "teacher".
'Now when I viewed this footage, several weeks later, I realised that in one of the mumbled versions, if you listen very carefully with the sound turned right up, it did appear that I'd actually used the word I was trying to obscure.
'I was mortified by this, horrified, it is a word I loath.
'And I did everything in my power to make sure that that version did not appear in the programme that was transmitted.
'In fact, I have here the note I sent at the time to the production office.
'And it says, "I didn't use the n-word here but I've just listened through my headphones and it sounds like I did. Is there another take that we could use?"
'Please be assured I did everything in my power to not use that word.
'And as I'm sitting here begging your forgiveness for that fact that obviously my efforts weren't quite good enough.
'Thank you.'
Earlier this morning, Clarkson took to Twitter to deny the allegations, telling his followers: 'I did not use the n word. Never use it. The Mirror has gone way too far this time.'
Following Clarkson's frank video message, the BBC also released a statement which described the incident as 'regrettable'.
It said: 'Jeremy Clarkson has set out the background to this regrettable episode.
'We have made it absolutely clear to him the standards the BBC expects on-air and off.
'We have left him in no doubt about how seriously we view this.'
It was alleged that Mr Clarkson uttered the n-word during filming of the third episode of Top Gear series 19 as the star reviewed the £25,000 Toyota GT86 and the Subaru BRZ - which costs around the same amount.
Telling viewers that they may find it difficult to differentiate between the two vehicles he demonstrated how to do it using the child's counting rhyme.
Audio forensic experts studied the clip and confirmed to the The Mirror that, in their view, the presenter had used the word, which is deemed highly offensive.
In the version of the show which aired in February 2013 he was heard to say 'teacher'.
Legal experts have said that if the presenter used the word, he could have breached equality legislation, depending on the context in which the word was used and whether a crew member had been offended by what was said.
'If it had been brought to the attention of the police they would have considered whether an offence had taken place and whether it was in the public interest to prosecute,' said solicitor Lucy Scott Moncrief.
'All employers and programme makers have policies on discrimination and I would have thought that this kind of language would have been a breach of those and could have led to disciplinary action.'
Last week the executive producer of Top Gear admitted Clarkson had called an Asian man a 'slope' when he joked about the construction of a bridge in Thailand during an episode.
There was outcry when he used the word, a derogatory term for people of Asian descent, during the show's two-part Burma special, screened in March this year.
Producer Andy Wilman said he regrets the 'light-hearted' wordplay and realises 'that it can be considered offensive to some here and overseas'.
Mr Wilman made the statement after Indian-born actress Somi Guha instructed lawyers to make a formal complaint about the use of the word, which she described as 'casual racism'.
In BBC footage said to have been edited out of the programme the 54-year-old presenter was heard reciting the rhyme 'eeny, meeny, miny, mo' before muttering 'catch a n***** by his toe'
Chelsea fan Jeremy Clarkson pictured last night as his team played Atletico Madrid in the Champions League second leg semi-final
'When we used the word ‘slope’ in the recent Top Gear Burma Special it was a light-hearted word play joke referencing both the build quality of the bridge and the local Asian man who was crossing it,' he said.
He went on: 'We were not aware at the time, and it has subsequently been brought to our attention, that the word 'slope' is considered by some to be offensive and although it might not be widely recognised in the UK, we appreciate that it can be considered offensive to some here and overseas, for example in Australia and the USA.
CAMERON DISTANCES HIMSELF FROM 'CHIPPING NORTON SET' PAL
David Cameron today distanced himself from Jeremy Clarkson, a fellow member of the exclusive 'Clipping Norton set'.
The two men are often seen together at events in Oxfordshire.
But today Downing Street sought to prevent being dragged into the row over the n-word.
Mr Cameron's official spokesman said: 'Usage of that word would be quite wrong. If there are reports and allegations I am sure that is something the BBC would want to look at.'
Asked if the PM would use the n-word, he added: 'Certainly not.'
As the challenge came to a conclusion, Clarkson said: 'That is a proud moment – but there’s a slope on it.'
'If we had known that at the time we would not have broadcast the word in this context and regret any offence caused.'
In the show, presenters Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May build a makeshift bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand.
Richard Hammond replies: 'You’re right, it’s definitely higher on that side.'
At the same time, an Asian man is seen walking across the bridge towards the two presenters.
Ms Guha, 36, later claimed that broadcasting Clarkson's comment amounted to unlawful discrimination by a public body.
Her lawyers, Equal Justice, claimed her action could cost the BBC £1 million in punitive damages under equality laws unless it apologised and took the hit motoring show off the air.
They said she was one of a group of people who were offended by the term - and so sought legal advice from the firm, who previously worked on racism allegations surrounding reality show Celebrity Big Brother.
Clarkson later used his Twitter account to respond to the allegation, and said: 'I'm not a racist. I am currently sitting in a bar with a man who lives quite near Wales.'
Today James May, who features on Top Gear with Mr Clarkson, tweeted his support for his colleague.
After news of the controversy broke, Mr May - also known as Captain Slow - wrote: 'Jeremy Clarkson is not a racist. He is a monumental bellend and many other things, but not a racist. I wouldn't work with one.'
He then used the hashtag #ThatIsAll to make his point.
Richard Hammond, who also works on the show with Mr Clarkson, echoed Mr May's statement.
On Twitter earlier today, he wrote: 'I 2nd May's comments re Clarkson. I can list a million things wrong with him, but he is absolutely not racist. An idiot, yes.'
Earlier this month, Mr Clarkson was also criticised after tweeting the picture of the dog, named Didier Dogba.
He asked: ‘Why is it racist to name our amazingly brilliant dog after a footballer?’
Twitter user Gbolade Oguntomole said: ‘It’s racist man! Casual racism! You should be ashamed of yourself. I like you Jeremy Clarkson but this is wrong!’
Others, however, defended the television host, saying that the name was funny and labelling Clarkson a racist was an over-reaction.
Last week the executive producer of Top Gear admitted Clarkson had called an Asian man a 'slope' when he joked about the construction of a bridge in Thailand during an episode
Clarkson recently hit back at Twitter users who accused him of racism after he tweeted a picture of his black West Highland terrier and revealing he had named it after Ivory Coast footballer Didier Drogba
CONTROVERSIAL CLARKSON'S PREVIOUS RACE ROWS
This is not the first time that Jeremy Clarkson has sparked controversy with some of his comments.
In March, Indian-born actress Somi Guha, 36, threatened to sue the BBC for up to £1million after Mr Clarkson allegedly used the word 'slope' - a derogatory term for people of Asian descent - in the Top Gear Burma special.
In the series finale, the three hosts - Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson - are tasked with building a bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand.
After completion, Clarkson said: 'That is a proud moment, but there's a slope on it', as a man walked towards him on a makeshift bridge.
A BBC spokeswoman for Top Gear said the Corporation had no comment on Miss Guha's action.
On April 21, Jeremy Clarkson was accused of racism yesterday for naming his black West Highland terrier dog Didier Dogba after former Chelsea star Didier Drogba, who is from the Ivory Coast.
Clarkson, who often mocks political correctness, asked: ‘Why is it racist to name our amazingly brilliant dog after a footballer?’
Clarkson later used his Twitter account to respond to the allegation, and said: 'I'm not a racist. I am currently sitting in a bar with a man who lives quite near Wales.'
In December 2011, the controversial host came under under fire for suggesting public sector strikers 'be shot in front of their families'.
Weeks later, he provoked a fresh storm of protest after describing people who kill themselves by jumping under trains as 'selfish'.
In his newspaper column in The Sun, Clarkson wrote that ‘foxy woxy and the birds’ should be left to ‘nibble’ at the ‘gooey parts’ of people who die by jumping in front of trains.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2618089/Jeremy-Clarkson-begs-forgiveness-video-message-admits-Top-Gear-recording-did-sound-like-used-n-word.html
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