JEREMY CLARKSON - THE BBC'S RESPONSE
Thank you for your e-mail regarding Jeremy Clarkson.
I am sorry you were offended by the edition of 'Have I Got News For You' featuring Jeremy Clarkson. It is certainly never the deliberate intention of the BBC to offend any of its audience in any way. The comment made by Jeremy Clarkson was an unscripted and spontaneous reaction to an unfolding conversation within the context of an irreverent comedy news programme. It was intended as a joke, albeit a somewhat cruel one.
Jeremy Clarkson was booked to appear on 'Have I Got News For You' because he has well-known opinions which polarise people.
With regard to this issue, Clarkson's opinion is that foxes are vermin. Whether one agrees with his view or not, he is entitled to express it.
It is also worth noting that after a viewer reported Jeremy
Clarkson to the police, according to the Daily Mail, the response
was "We have to remember the context in which these remarks
were made".
We can only apologise for any personal offence caused on this occasion. You may rest assured that your comments have been registered and brought to the attention of the programme makers concerned.
Thank you for contacting us to express your views.
Regards,
Amanda Steele
BBC Information