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| Jeremy Clarkson could face police investigation | Jeremy Clarkson could face police investigation |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Jeremy Clarkson could face a police investigation into his attack on Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon, after the BBC fired the presenter over the incident on Wednesday. | |
| The BBC has been asked by North Yorkshire police for a copy of executive Ken MacQuarrie’s report into the “fracas” that led to Clarkson’s departure from Top Gear. | |
| The attack, which took place in the grounds of Simonstone Hall hotel in Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, left Tymon with a bleeding lip, the report said. | The attack, which took place in the grounds of Simonstone Hall hotel in Hawes in the Yorkshire Dales, left Tymon with a bleeding lip, the report said. |
| Related: BBC: Clarkson mounted unprovoked attack on Top Gear producer - live | Related: BBC: Clarkson mounted unprovoked attack on Top Gear producer - live |
| In a statement, North Yorkshire police said it “is liaising with the BBC regarding the alleged incident in North Yorkshire involving Jeremy Clarkson. | In a statement, North Yorkshire police said it “is liaising with the BBC regarding the alleged incident in North Yorkshire involving Jeremy Clarkson. |
| “We have asked the BBC for the report which details the findings of their internal investigation into the matter. The information will be assessed appropriately and action will be taken by North Yorkshire police where necessary. | “We have asked the BBC for the report which details the findings of their internal investigation into the matter. The information will be assessed appropriately and action will be taken by North Yorkshire police where necessary. |
| “It would not be appropriate for North Yorkshire police to comment further at this time.” | |
| MacQuarrie’s report said Tymon was “subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack” by Clarkson, during which he was “struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip”. | MacQuarrie’s report said Tymon was “subject to an unprovoked physical and verbal attack” by Clarkson, during which he was “struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip”. |
| The attack “lasted around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness”, and Tymon “offered no retaliation”. | The attack “lasted around 30 seconds and was halted by the intervention of a witness”, and Tymon “offered no retaliation”. |
| It said Tymon was “shocked and distressed by the incident” and “drove to a nearby A&E department for examination”. | It said Tymon was “shocked and distressed by the incident” and “drove to a nearby A&E department for examination”. |
| The report added that Clarkson verbally abused Tymon “on more than one occasion – both during the attack and subsequently inside the hotel – and contained the strongest expletives and threats to sack him. | |
| “The abuse was at such volume as to be heard in the dining room, and the shouting was audible in a hotel bedroom.” | |
| BBC director general Tony Hall said he took the decision to end Clarkson’s BBC career “with great regret”, but said the presenter had “crossed a line”. | |
| Hall paid tribute to both Tymon and Clarkson. He said it had “obviously been difficult for everyone involved but in particular for Oisin. I want to make clear that no blame attaches to him for this incident. | |
| “He has behaved with huge integrity throughout. As a senior producer at the BBC, he will continue to have an important role within the organisation in the future.” | |
| On Clarkson, Hall added: “Obviously none of us wanted to find ourselves in this position. This decision should in no way detract from the extraordinary contribution that Jeremy Clarkson has made to the BBC. | |
| “I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear. Jeremy is a huge talent. He may be leaving the BBC but I am sure he will continue to entertain, challenge and amuse audiences for many years to come.” | |
| The BBC will attempt to continue with Top Gear, which is BBC2’s most popular show with more than 5 million viewers a week and generates around £50m a year for its commercial arm, BBC Worldwide. | |
| Hall said: “The BBC must now look to renew Top Gear for 2016. This will be a big challenge and there is no point in pretending otherwise. | |
| “I have asked [BBC2 controller] Kim Shillinglaw to look at how best we might take this forward over the coming months. I have also asked her to look at how we put out the last programmes in the current series.” | |
| Clarkson’s contract with the BBC was due to expire at the end of March. |