Jeremy Clarkson has apologised to the Top Gear producer he punched after settling a racial discrimination and injury claim for more than £100,000. Oisin Tymon launched legal action after a ‘fracas’ last March that left him with a bloody lip.
In a statement, Clarkson said: ‘I would like to say sorry, once again, to Oisin Tymon for the incident and its regrettable aftermath. I want to reiterate that none of this was in any way his fault.’ He added: ‘I am pleased that this matter is now resolved.’
The incident occurred at a North Yorkshire hotel after Clarkson was told no hot food was available. An internal BBC inquiry found Clarkson subjected Mr Tymon to an ‘unprovoked physical and verbal attack’, calling him ‘lazy’ and ‘Irish’.
After the attack, Mr Tymon did not press charges but faced online abuse. Clarkson was dropped by the BBC, and co-presenters James May and Richard Hammond also left. The trio later signed a deal with Amazon for a rival motoring show.
Mr Tymon’s lawyer, Paul Daniels, said: ‘The action involving Mr Tymon has been concluded. Oisin is keen to put the matter behind him.’ The BBC said Mr Tymon was a ‘valued member of the BBC’ who behaved with ‘huge integrity’.
