The BBC has yet to decide whether Jeremy Clarkson will return to the next series of Top Gear, as executives monitor public reaction to his use of the N-word during an outtake. The presenter was forced to apologise after a clip emerged of him reciting a racist nursery rhyme in unaired footage obtained by the Daily Mirror.
Diversity campaigners, including comedian Lenny Henry and actor David Harewood, are being watched for their responses. Labour's deputy leader, Harriet Harman, tweeted that anyone using the N-word has no place at the BBC. Simone Pennant, founder of the TV Collective, which supports Henry's diversity campaign, condemned Clarkson and linked the incident to a lack of black and Asian staff on Top Gear.
However, Education Secretary Michael Gove urged the BBC not to sack Clarkson, describing the word as 'horrendous' but accepting Clarkson's explanation that it was never intended for broadcast. Clarkson met with BBC director general Tony Hall and television director Danny Cohen on Thursday and was reprimanded.
Top Gear generates significant revenue for the BBC, creating an incentive to retain Clarkson if he survives the fallout. Meanwhile, law firm Equal Justice plans to write to Barack Obama and ambassadors of countries where Top Gear airs, asking them to consider whether the show should continue broadcasting.
