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The politically incorrect automotive critic Jeremy Clarkson has finally gone too far. He called a car “a bit gay”, and someone complained on behalf of the offended motor vehicle. The BBC has found for the car.
The BBC has upheld a complaint against Jeremy Clarkson, the Top Gear presenter, after he described a car as a "bit gay".
The ruling is a surprise since the corporation had defended Clarkson robustly when the remarks were broadcast in the summer.
He provoked the ire of the gay community when he asked a member of the show's audience if he would buy a two-seater Daihatsu Copen, retailing at £13,495. The man said, "No, it's a bit gay", to which Clarkson added: "A bit gay, yes, very ginger beer."
Clarkson has a well-known and -deserved reputation for skewering sacred cows, as the BBC itself has noted on Top Gear’s website, but ridiculing a car for its alleged sexual orientation—well, that is beyond the pale.
Fraser Steel, the head of editorial complaints at the corporation, took offence and has upheld the complaint — thought to be the first in broadcasting about homophobia and a motor car.
In his ruling, Mr Steel said: "Clarkson supplemented the term 'gay' with a phrase which is rhyming slang for 'queer'. There was no doubt that it was being used in the sense of 'homosexual' and was capable of giving offence."
“Capable of giving offence” to whom, exactly, and on what grounds? Seriously, what sane human being, homosexual or otherwise, could be offended by someone calling a car “gay”?
Has Mr Steel forgotten the ridicule Thames Valley Police brought down upon their heads for arresting an Oxford student after he said a policeman’s horse was gay?
That sort of nonsense will only encourage Mr Clarkson. I can’t wait!
In the meantime, the Copen’s website is here. Judge for yourself whether “gay” is a fair description.
