Jeremy Clarkson suspended over "fracas" with producer

Perhaps worth noting Perry's two replies so far to comments...
"read the papers later" and "it's not what you think"

Presumably he still has contacts to those involved with the show and genuinely knows something. I'd be surprised if the BBC axed the show, as despite the numerous incidents over the years it has ratings in it's favour as well as being commercially successful. At risk of speculating wildly it's possible that someone other than Clarkson has quit or been sacked, though I guess we'll have to wait to find out what's actually happened.

What I can't help making of it is someone who seems to be chucking himself at anyone who'll put him on the telly, and desparately milking his past connection to Top Gear (which no-one even knew about at the time) for all its worth.


Does this guy even know Clarkson that well? Or at all?

Clarkson has just manipulated himself into the victim here - classic bully behaviour. The vast majority of what he's been accused of in the past has been blown right out of proportion, but this alleged incident is a firing offence in any line of work and it's baffling the BBC have let the perpetrator hijack it in such a way.

Suspending the show played right into Clarksons hands and made him out to be more important to the show - had they gone ahead without him, or even just scheduled a "best bits" episode (even a repeat) in the slot tomorrow they'd at least have been reminding viewers that Top Gear is their property, not Clarksons (from earlier posts I believe that is legally the case now too), and it would have allowed them to keep control of it.

For once I totally agree with you Brekkie. Also the hate for the producer who Clarkson apparently lashed out at, both physically and verbally, has shocked and scared me. Let alone seeing any Top Gear fans be at all fussed about a mid ranging in seniority production member being bullied in this way by one of its stars, any comments I've seen from them have ranged from bemusement to anger with this fellow who may have quite his own part to play in Top Gear's success. It's funny that in 2015 people don't realise how much on screen talent rely on a whole team of people behind the scenes to not only create a smooth running show but an entertaining one - who knows how much this producer has to do with the show creatively, and not simply a runner ordering food (which is below his paygrade). I find it very weird and quite scary how much genuine support Clarkson has, like he's a symbol of a lost Britain so many wish to get back or hold onto for dear life. Is it Britain's real face showing after years of collective political correctness? Sorry if this sounds quite deep but yeah. I can't stand Clarkson the person or his politics etc but as a presenter and creative, and on screen personality, I do admit he is hard to beat. I would personally be willing to smooth things out one last time if I were the BBC, but ironically I feel both Clarkson and his supporters throwing so much venom around and making this such a **** that things may turn out differently to how they might of had this not been the case. Don't even get me started on the prime minister wading, seemingly in without a care for the guy who was allegedly assaulted. It isn't even about that one guy, though, it's about how acceptable what rich, well known people can get away with when they for instance have a TV show that is adored by millions, perhaps billions globally. As I said I'd personally have gone through a short but thorough process which would probably end up with Clarkson resinstated on the sternest of last warnings. But just how many times do you let the seesaw swing one way just because on the other side people enjoy a show so much?

I was going to say I wonder whether the press have remembered this Clarkson incident...

...However I see Ian Hislop was on Question Time this week and mentioned it when the inevitable question came up. (See http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b055ks65/question-time-12032015 around 54min.)

Mail on Sunday cover - https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CAFq2xDWwAAyi77.png:large

How comes a tribunal , and a law suit...

I'd love to see how you would sue an unnamed person.

I wonder if they are real! Why not just name them, I wonder?

The BBC's enemies have built up hate over time, now they seem to really be going for broke there's no stopping them.

Then you could still sue the newspaper for slander and lies...

Just out of curiosity, why has Ken MacQuarrie from BBC Scotland been given the unenviable task of leading the investigation? Is BBC Scotland meant to be a neutral playing field or something?

Watch out for the Clarkson fans turning on Scotland if the decision doesn't go in their favour! Bloody Scots etc. This could decide an election you know.