BBC Suspends Jeremy Clarkson. Again.

[Scherf]

I thought the eeny-meeny thing didn't go to air.

[Swoop]

It didn't.

[SysError]

Heard that the police have been involved.  Most of our information here is filtered.  Guys in UK, do you know what is going on?

[Swoop]

All we know is that North Yorkshire police (the county the assault was committed in) are 'liaising with the BBC regarding the findings of their enquiry'.

Which means Plod is sticking their noses in where they're not required as usual cos it'd be an easy, quick arrest.

[Gman]

Swoop, what is the law in the UK on assaults?  I know in some situations and areas of the USA, the person assaulted has to WANT to press charges.  I do know in Canada, that there are situations where if L/E decides they want to charge you (often in domestic violence cases), they will do so even if the wife is pleading with them not to.

Could the police there charge Clarkson even if that producer didn't with them to?  From what's been said, he wasn't happy about it going public, and never wished to inform the BBC, and it was Clarkson who did so, no doubt because so many saw it, and he knew it was going to get out, but I believe he probably did so for "doing the right thing" reasons as well.  It seems pretty clear though the victim didn't want to make trouble for Clarkson, he certainly hasn't gone to the cops himself I would wager, as if he did and pressed charges, Clarkson would have been arrested already, wouldn't he?  Again, not sure how that works in the UK.

Such a shame, now so many people, like the victim, will lose their jobs at Top Gear. 

[SysError]

Such a shame, now so many people, like the victim, will lose their jobs at Top Gear.

Maybe.  My first thought was that the loss of revenue would mean that Swoop's license fee is going to go up next year.

What do you guys pay now?

[PR3D4TOR]

[Gman]

A few things from that, I saw it earlier on another site as well -

May is a class act, always has been.  He's also strongly suggesting he is loyal to his partners, Clarkson and Hammond.  The Netflix rumors are flying all over the net it seems.  Regardless if they go there, I think it's safe to say many, many networks will be in contention to rapidly develop a new show.  It's a shame though if they leave the UK, I say that not being from there, but part of the allure for me is getting that British angle, their humor, sayings, and just general way of looking at things, is well represented through the 3 hosts IMO.

So, I hope they stay based in the UK, hope they can find a new "track", and hope they can keep "The Stig" and that the rights to "him" aren't owned along with the "Top Gear" name and property.

Also, I said earlier that IMO it didn't seem like a big deal, not enough to warrant a huge investigation.  Perhaps that's just my experience, and I'm a bit desensitized to a minor scrap, I've worked in some jobs where violence is commonplace, between both customers and on occasion co workers.  I can understand the office world would consider this a big tabboo, but frankly, the "victim" didn't seem very concerned to the point of not reporting it, and May just said, being a witness, that it wasn't a very big incident in his opinion.  He's always struck me as an honest, tell it like it is sort of gent. 

The reaction I'm reading around the net about May's clip there, is that people just want to see MORE episodes of the 3 hosts collaborating together.  I'm in complete agreement, that was a bit of genious from May there IMO, elegantly defending Jeremy while making it clear who and what Clarkson is.  I think that they'll be working together again, sooner than later.

[Swoop]

Swoop, what is the law in the UK on assaults?

Don't quote me on this cos I'm not absolutely sure but I think the victim does not have to press any charges, the police will do that all of their own accord.  However, it's got a lot to do with the severity of the crime and viability of the witness.  There are levels of assault ranging from common assault, actual bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, etc, etc.  If the victim was left in a coma and the witness(es) identify the aggressor then certainly the forthcoming charge of GBH will not need the victim to press charges.  In most cases of assault, the victim is the only witness and if he/she doesn't want to press charges then they'll just refuse to give a statement, therefore no evidence, therefore no charges.  There'd still be an arrest though cos no copper would ever give up a chance at another arrest on the record.

In this case, the evidence the police have will be the written report of the investigation by the BBC.  Therefore, they don't really need the victim to press charges cos they've already got his statement.

My first thought was that the loss of revenue would mean that Swoop's license fee is going to go up next year.

What do you guys pay now?

No idea, I haven't paid the licence fee in years.  There's a loophole, if you don't watch TV when it's broadcast then it's classed as recorded programming, for which no licence fee is needed.  It's not a licence to have a TV, it's a licence to receive broadcast programming.  The BBC reeeeeally shot themselves in the foot introducing BBC iPlayer...

[saggs]

So I just read the news story with a bit more detail on the whole incident.  Taken as is, without any context is sure seems like Clarkson was way out of line.  But who knows if we will ever get all the backstory, history and context of the situation between them... would that context make one way or another difference?  Maybe.  Would I be pissed if I was promised a decent hot meal at the end of a hard days work, and received cold cuts instead?  Absolutely.  Would I punch out a guy over it? No... unless there was some more history leading up to it.

The one thing that did stand out to me though.  The producers injuries consisted of 1) a fat/split lip, 2) no two, that's it... just a fat lip, and for that he went to the hospital  Does he call an ambulance if he stubs his toe?  Heaven forbid he burns his hand on the stove, that must warrant calling in the helicopter.  Such a huge overeaction on his part makes me wonder if there's more to the story.


Still, any guy who takes some puff out of Piers Morgan scores points in my book.

[danny76]

Swoop, what is the law in the UK on assaults?  I know in some situations and areas of the USA, the person assaulted has to WANT to press charges.  I do know in Canada, that there are situations where if L/E decides they want to charge you (often in domestic violence cases), they will do so even if the wife is pleading with them not to.

Could the police there charge Clarkson even if that producer didn't with them to?  From what's been said, he wasn't happy about it going public, and never wished to inform the BBC, and it was Clarkson who did so, no doubt because so many saw it, and he knew it was going to get out, but I believe he probably did so for "doing the right thing" reasons as well.  It seems pretty clear though the victim didn't want to make trouble for Clarkson, he certainly hasn't gone to the cops himself I would wager, as if he did and pressed charges, Clarkson would have been arrested already, wouldn't he?  Again, not sure how that works in the UK.

Such a shame, now so many people, like the victim, will lose their jobs at Top Gear.

The victim doesn't need to press charges, the offence still stands, in this case probably exceed common assault due to the split lip (an interruption in the continuation of the skin) would ordinarily be charged as ABH but may get knocked down to common assault by CPS because they are toothless. Would almost certainly result in a caution depending on his previous record.

[PR3D4TOR]

Must be hard on the BDSM community in the UK.

[Scherf]

Must be hard on the BDSM community in the UK.

Yes, Zack thinks it's an outrage.

[danny76]

Must be hard on the BDSM community in the UK.

Doesn't mean there isn't a victim. Just that their consent to charge is not required. BDSM implies consent from participants, without consent it is assault

[shppr01]

I don't think it matters much now. As of yesterday,BBC just fired Jeremy Clarkson. Sadly the other two went with him out of loyalty. Imo, James and Richard were the better ones..