Jeremy Clarkson: punched producer suing for racial discrimination
http://www.theweek.co.uk/jeremy-clarkso ... -locations
Oisin Tymon is said to be suing Clarkson for injuries sustained in the Top Gear attack in March
The BBC producer who was punched by Jeremy Clarkson in March has launched a personal injury and racial discrimination claim against the presenter and the BBC.
The incident, on 2 March, which left Oisin Tymon with a swollen and bloody lip, led to Clarkson's suspension from Top Gear.
Slater and Gordon, the law firm acting on behalf of Tymon, launched the lawsuit today at a London employment tribunal. According to the Daily Telegraph Tymon is apparently seeking damages of more than £100,000. The producer is said to be suing Clarkson for the injuries sustained during the attack, and the BBC for failing to protect their employee.
Clarkson allegedly called Tymon a "lazy Irish c***", which is understood to be the basis for the racial discrimination element of the claim, says the Daily Telegraph. Clarkson is reportedly willing to settle, but months of talks are yet to reach an agreement and Tymon's solicitors are trying to force a deal, says the newspaper.
Representatives for Tymon, Clarkson and the BBC have said they will not be commenting.
An investigation into the attack, led by BBC director Ken MacQuarrie, concluded that Tymon was "subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack by Jeremy Clarkson" at a hotel in North Yorkshire while the crew was filming on location.
"During the physical attack Oisin Tymon was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip," said MacQuarrie. "The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period, both at the time of the physical attack and subsequently."
The verbal abuse was said to contain "the strongest expletives" and threats to sack Tymon, and was at such volume that it was heard in other rooms of the hotel.
"Derogatory and abusive language, relating to Oisin Tymon and other members of the Top Gear team, continued to be used by Jeremy Clarkson inside the hotel, in the presence of others, for a sustained period of time," said MacQuarrie.