PM rebukes Top Gear star over strike jibe
Source: Agencies |
December 2, 2011, Friday
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BRITISH Prime Minister David Cameron has criticized comments made by "Top Gear" television show presenter Jeremy Clarkson after he said striking public sector strikers be "shot in front of their families."
Clarkson, whose mocking personality has helped make the Top Gear motoring show a hit around the world, was speaking on Wednesday as state workers including nurses, teachers and civil servants were staging a 24-hour strike against government plans to make them pay more and work longer for their pensions.
"I'd have them all shot," the 51-year-old said on the BBC's prime-time One Show. "I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families," he added. "I mean, how dare they go on strike when they have got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living."
A BBC spokesman noted the One Show had apologized afterwards.
Cameron, a friend of the presenter, said on the ITV's Good Morning program the comments were a "silly thing to say." He added: "I'm sure he didn't mean it."
Public service trade union Unison said it would consider legal action against Clarkson and the BBC.
Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "Clarkson's comments on the One Show were outrageous and cannot be tolerated."
"While he is driving round in fast cars for a living, public sector workers are busy holding our society together - they save others' lives on a daily basis, they care for the sick, the vulnerable, the elderly."
Unions estimated that more than 2 million workers went on strike.
Clarkson, whose mocking personality has helped make the Top Gear motoring show a hit around the world, was speaking on Wednesday as state workers including nurses, teachers and civil servants were staging a 24-hour strike against government plans to make them pay more and work longer for their pensions.
"I'd have them all shot," the 51-year-old said on the BBC's prime-time One Show. "I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families," he added. "I mean, how dare they go on strike when they have got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living."
A BBC spokesman noted the One Show had apologized afterwards.
Cameron, a friend of the presenter, said on the ITV's Good Morning program the comments were a "silly thing to say." He added: "I'm sure he didn't mean it."
Public service trade union Unison said it would consider legal action against Clarkson and the BBC.
Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis said: "Clarkson's comments on the One Show were outrageous and cannot be tolerated."
"While he is driving round in fast cars for a living, public sector workers are busy holding our society together - they save others' lives on a daily basis, they care for the sick, the vulnerable, the elderly."
Unions estimated that more than 2 million workers went on strike.
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