Jeremy Clarkson Cleared By Ofcom Over Japanese Car Slur

PA  |  Posted: 08/05/2012 19:53 Updated: 08/05/2012 19:53   PA

Top Gear
The Top Gear team has courted controversy before

Jeremy Clarkson has been cleared of breaching the broadcasting code by watchdog Ofcom after comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces.

The presenter got into trouble after 41 people complained following the comments on Top Gear in February.

He made the comments while talking about a camper van and then slurred his speech in what appeared to be an impression of the Elephant Man, before co-presenter Richard Hammond called the vehicle an "elephant car".

Ofcom cleared Clarkson of breaching the code but it is not the first time he has found himself in trouble for on-air comments.

He faced a storm of protest from mental health charities after he branded people who throw themselves under trains as "selfish".

That came after he was forced to apologise for telling BBC1's The One Show that striking workers should be shot.

The motoring show has seen more than its share of controversy. Earlier this year Indian diplomats complained about a special edition of the programme filmed in the country.

The 90-minute India special included a car fitted with a toilet in the boot which Clarkson said was "perfect for India because everyone who comes here gets the trots".

The BBC was forced to apologise to the Mexican ambassador last year after remarks made by Clarkson and co-hosts James May and Hammond.

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Jeremy Clarkson has been cleared of breaching the broadcasting code by watchdog Ofcom after comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces. The presenter got into trouble after 41 p...
Jeremy Clarkson has been cleared of breaching the broadcasting code by watchdog Ofcom after comparing a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces. The presenter got into trouble after 41 p...
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11:52 PM on 05/09/2012
I'm offended by petty people being offended and for those petty people sticking up for the petty people who get so easily offended.
02:25 PM on 05/09/2012
jeremy is an out spoken man who says what we all think, if you dont like what he says, you dont have to watch him,
i vote jeremy for priminister, stuff all this being politacly correct, lets all join jeremy and say what we think , they do say hoesty is the best policy
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jaydjay
11:39 AM on 05/09/2012
41 was the number of people listening to him!
10:33 AM on 05/09/2012
41 people complained? Maybe OFCOM should have spent the money they wasted on the inquiry on tracking the 41 down and telling them to grow up??
09:48 AM on 05/09/2012
People have the right to be offended. Its part of life.

41 people? is that the best the PC crowd could muster?

lets deal with the big issues and stop pandering to a small, but vocal, minority.
09:43 AM on 05/09/2012
People need to cheer up and stop moaning at everything
09:43 AM on 05/09/2012
Everyone has the right to be offended!

41 people!

let's deal with big issues and stop pandering to the PC crowd.
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08:24 AM on 05/09/2012
Is there a permanently staffed Jeremy Clarkson department at Ofcom complaints division? Surely the easily offended should have learned to stop watching him by now.
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vividrick
I came, I saw...I had a cup of tea!
11:38 AM on 05/09/2012
Well at least it's creating jobs, if such a department exists lol.
08:20 AM on 05/09/2012
30 + Million viewers world wide.

41 people complained.

In the words of Ricky Gervais " Just because your offended does make you right "
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vividrick
I came, I saw...I had a cup of tea!
11:36 AM on 05/09/2012
...perhaps, but the way he ran off with the 'mong' issue wasn't impressive.
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Lord Justice Wolf
08:17 AM on 05/09/2012
Nobody asks people to watch Top Gear? If you are offended easily then switch over? You watch some Stand Up Comedians and they are outrageous and racist jokes are fare game in comedy but Jezzer opens his mouth and he gets it in the neck? Maybe the BBC should put a disclaimer at the beginning of every show, little box saying "Comments made during the filming of this episode are the sole opinion of the commentator and does not reflect the opinion of the BBC, if easily offended then switch channels now". Problem solved.
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NOSHER
08:03 AM on 05/09/2012
whats wrong with people can a man not have an oppinion, i think some people have got it in for this man i never watch him but,he gets pulled up as soon as he opens his mouth there must be someone after his job why cant he be left alone
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08:03 AM on 05/09/2012
It must be obvious by now after all his stupid comments that this man does have a problem, though this comment was not one of his lowest by any means.
07:22 AM on 05/09/2012
So 41 people out of the millions that watch Top Gear complain and there is an enquiry by Ofcom! That's a tiny fraction of people who watch this programme, a hand full of professional moaners whose soul task it is to find fault with the presenter of one of THE most popular BBC programs on air. The last bastion of anti P.C. nonsense on the BBC and the sandal wearing, tree huggers are trying every thing in their power to get the man and his programme of the air. As always the vocal minority impose their will on the silent majority!