Under fire Jeremy Clarkson last night sparked a new racism row after he was caught using the n-word while filming for Top Gear.
In the unseen footage – which was later edited out of the show – the £1million a year TV host is seen swinging his finger between two cars, while reciting a racist version of a children’s counting rhyme.
Clarkson can be heard chanting: “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe...” He then mumbles: “Catch a n***** by his toe”.
The shocking footage comes not long after Clarkson was involved in another offensive outburst, when he was accused of using the term “slope” while filming in Thailand for the flagship BBC car show.
This morning the TV presenter denied using the n-word and said he has "never" used it.
For live reaction to Clarkson's n-word shame, click here.
Last night, legal experts said that the recent language used by the 54-year-old, who last year reportedly took home £14million thanks largely to his stake in a firm which exploits Top Gear’s global brand, could even result in a breach of the law in some cases.
Solicitor Lucy Scott Moncrieff said: “It is all about context. If there was a crew member who was distressed by it, then there could well have been a breach of equality legislation.”
Fellow lawyer Lawrence Davies blasted: “Clarkson has to be sacked, no matter how much money he makes for the BBC. Use of that word is not acceptable.”
The Mirror hired a firm of audio forensic experts to analyse the clip and they confirmed that the n-word was indeed used by Clarkson.
An investigator – working for digital forensics company CY4OR – produced a transcript as part of the study. It stated Clarkson said the following: “Eeny, meeny, miny, moe, catch a n***** by his toe, when he squeals, let him go, eeny, meeny, miny, moe.”
Clarkson was filming for Series 19 Episode 3 when he used the phrase. The start of the show featured a segment where he was test driving the £25,000 Toyota GT86 and the similarly priced Subaru BRZ.
The outspoken star took both cars for a spin around the famous Top Gear race track while delivering a review of how they performed.
Clarkson said: “Both cost the same, they have the same bodies and the same interiors with the same equipment. They are even built by the same people in the same factory. You might imagine then that it’s quite hard to chose between them, but actually, it isn’t.”
The footage then cut to him standing on the side of the track between the two motors.
The presenter rolled up his sleeves and said: “Watch, because this is how you do it.”
In the unaired version – which was later passed to the Mirror – he then recited the rhyme and muttered the n-word before pointing at the Toyota and shrugging: “Toyota it is.”
But in the version aired by the BBC in February 2013, the offensive term was not used. Clarkson recited the rhyme, but this time used the word “teacher”.
The BBC’s own editorial guidelines state: “Reclamation of the language has led to the term ‘n*****’ being used by some in the black community and terms such as ‘cripple’ are sometimes used humorously or sarcastically by people with disabilities.
“But this usage may still cause distress within these communities and is also much more likely to cause offence when employed by someone who is not a member of the community in question.”
Top Gear – which is seen in more than 100 different countries around the world and makes the BBC tens of millions of pounds – recently came under pressure following Clarkson’s “joke” about a Thai man standing on a bridge.
At the completion of a bridge-building task over the River Kwai in Thailand, Clarkson commented to fellow presenter Richard Hammond: “That is a proud moment.”
Then, just as an Asian man is seen walking into shot, he added: “But there’s a slope on it.”
The use of the word – which is a derogatory term for people of Asian descent – led to complaints and the threat of legal action from Equal Justice, a law firm specialising in discrimination cases.
Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman was last week forced to apologise. He released a statement which said: “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. 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.
“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.
“If we had known that at the time we would not have broadcast the word in this context and regret any offence caused.”
Indian-born actress Somi Guha, 36, instructed legal firm Equal Justice to provide evidence to the BBC Trust about the case.
The BBC’s own Diversity Strategy 2011-2015 stated: “A core organisational value is that we respect each other and celebrate our diversity so that everyone can give their best.”
Its guidelines state that celebrities should be treated the same as all members of staff and not given preferential treatment.
A Respect at Work Review said: “Talent is the widely used term in the BBC for presenters or star names that make a programme more likely to attract higher audience figures.
“There is a perception that ‘talent’ are treated differently and don’t have to adhere to the same rules because they wield power over the organisation and anyone who tries to manage them.
“In many cases the BBC does not directly employ them and so people are quite unsure about what interventions are possible.”
Speaking about Clarkson’s offensive clip, Solicitor Ms Scott Moncrieff said: “If it had been broadcast then I can well imagine plenty of people might have been distressed by it.
“It is gross bad taste. It is sticking two fingers up at what is now considered civilised language.
“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.
“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.”
Lawyer Mr Davies, who owns legal firm Equal Justice and has previously handled complaints against Clarkson, called for the star to be axed.
He said: “I believe that under the EU’s Race Directive 2000, Clarkson may be in breach of the law because he used discriminatory language in his workplace.
“There is no doubt in my mind that his position is now untenable.”
Of couse, Clarkson denied it. He tweets:
#Dude must be a racist, y'all remember he was also labelled a racist when he named his black dog
Didier Drogba? Everyday's for the thief, one day's for the owner, BBC FIRE HIM ALREADY!!!
#SayNoToRacism
