Clarkson suspended
Posted by: hungryhalibut on 10 March 2015
Let's hope it's finally over for the racist prat. Will Cameron's dodgy mate survive? What was the 'fracas'?
I find myself rather conflicted with JC. On the one hand I find some of comments and views out-of-order and he comes across as arrogant. On the other I can't help but find him funny at times.
He's clearly the main-man on Top Gear and the show would be a pale imitation without him so given the show's popularity it will be interested to see if the BBC put discipline and integrity above the show's viewer appeal.
If he goes, I can't see TG being watchable anymore, and there's pretty much nothing left on the BBC that I'd bother going out of my way to watch. And of course, the BBC will lose its best export.
Good luck replacing him!
I'm relatively ambivalent about JC but I do think most organisations need some people willing to say 'up yours', at least semi irregularly, even if only out of their own self interest.
The BBC particularly seems to be an ever deep bucket of corporate compliance these days where no employee/contractor is allowed to say what they feel or think, if it doesn't match 'The Message'. Fallibility or brief unscripted unthinking seem to border on criminality.
The Beeb used to seem to be happy to make occasional mistakes because the greater good was being served rather well and they would just apologise and move on. Now in this modern age of Mea Culpa type self flagelation demanded by (competitive) media, politicians and all commentators with vested interests of deflection or cold hard cash, it's just gone right up it's own bum. Like The Grauniad.
Of course he may have tried ****ting someone (he's done it before), maybe the other fella deserved it!
I do suspect the Save Clarkson petition will get a few hits though
Gosh. When did 'fracas' equate to punch? That's some understatement by the BBC. Punching another employee at work would certainty be regarded as gross misconduct justifying dismissal by my employer. Unless the producer on the receiving-end of Clarkson's punch did something pretty heinous to provoke him, this will be a hard one for BBC to duck.
Mind you I bet there's quite a few folk about who would love the excuse of the obviously overweight and unfit Clarkson taking a swing at them so they could fully justify 'defending themselves' by properly laying him out! Would be like that scene in Airplane with a queue forming to slap the hysterical female passenger.
I quite like Clarkson - a breath of fresh air. Top Gear though 
BBC spot abuse and deal with it "shocker"!
When was the punch thrown? Between 'it's A Knockout' and TOTP?
The real reason Clarkson has survived so long, the cash Top Gear generates for the beeb.
If the BBC do decide to end his contract then there are plenty of other channels who would love to have him on their books. And Clarkson can name his price.
Perhaps a move to a YouTube channel of his own would be best, like Chris 'monkey' Harris.
How much of Top Gear is JC?
How much is Hammond and May?
Would it be the same without them?
Who do they have contracts with? They both present other programmes.
Who owns the magazine?
As an employer if one of my staff assaulted another of my staff I would likely dismiss them. The rest is irrelevant. Clarkson is many things to many people, but he is an employee as well.
If if a Producer punched Clarkson, do you think they would be sacked?
Bruce
He can be sacked now as JC doesn't own 50% of TG anymore.
Personally I think the show should be on CBBC and lost it's charm ages ago. James May is the only one of the 3 I would employ he has a certain charm.
he should now leave television entertainment and go into politics.
As an employer if one of my staff assaulted another of my staff I would likely dismiss them. The rest is irrelevant. Clarkson is many things to many people, but he is an employee as well.
If if a Producer punched Clarkson, do you think they would be sacked?
Bruce
No employer can tolerate an assault on a fellow employee. Instant dismissal, no ands, ifs or buts.
I find it unbelievable that he punched someone because there was no food. The whole story will come out soon.
Clarkson. Clarksoff.
I can well imagine JC having a pint of beer with Nigel Farage in an old country pub...
he should now leave television entertainment and go into politics.
As a candidate for the Monster Raving Loony Party perhaps? 
Dave
John Prescott survived, and we know for sure that he pulled a punch.
I am no fan of Top Gear or Clarkson (whom I find an arrogant pompous oaf). I was therefore somewhat astonished to discover that a there is a petition of 300,000 signatures demanding his reinstatement.
- Firstly, most organisations' disciplinary and grievance policy would normally suspend an individual pending the results of a proper investigation into the alleged offence. So it seems to me that the BBC have acted correctly, albeit that, in theory at least, it should have been kept confidential. Certainly he shouldn't have been "instantly dismissed" as an earlier contributor suggested, as this would automatically be seen as a breach of the D&G policy by a tribunal. Even if he is supposedly on a "final warning".
- The petition-signers are presumably assuming his innocence, or willing to forgive the alleged transgression, so that their hero and his programme can recommence. I wonder how they would feel if it had been their father/son/relative/friend who had been the alleged victim.
- I wonder how the internal BBC machinations will attempt to apply fair justice on the one hand versus commercial expediency on the other - ie will they really be prepared to "kill the golden goose"?
- Another example of the "trial by media" where the alleged perpetrator is named and shamed in advance of any fair "trial", and the sh1t will continue to stick irrespective of the facts of the case.
Steve D
I
- Firstly, most organisations' disciplinary and grievance policy would normally suspend an individual pending the results of a proper investigation into the alleged offence. So it seems to me that the BBC have acted correctly, albeit that, in theory at least, it should have been Certainly he shouldn't have been "instantly dismissed" as an earlier contributor suggested, as this would automatically be seen as a breach of the D&G policy by a tribunal. Even if he is supposedly on a "final warning.
Steve D
It goes without saying that the employee would be suspended until the matter is proven, but then instant dismissal is the normal punishment in the case of a physical assault. Who knows, perhaps he was defending himself...There will be an appeals process of course, but no petition, cries of what a funny bloke he was, how much money he brought in etc. etc. will change the outcome. It's a criminal offence to assault someone, and the person he (allegedly) thumped will sue the arse off him.
I note there is a counter-petition to sack him.
Can the lynch mobs retreat yet?
- Clarkson should be suspended.
- The BBC should carry out an investigation. (a proper one)
- The alleged victim should report the offense to the police or bring a civil action, whichever is appropriate.
- Depending on the outcome of (2) and (3) Clarkson should be re-instated with compensation
- or sacked and also face the consequences of his actions
On the other hand, the alleged victim might come to some generous and rapid settlement with Clarkson, confirm there was a bit of provocation and Clarkson and the BBC get on with the show (and keep my licence fee at a reasonable level).