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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/nov/16/jeremy-clarkson-row-airport-disputes-argentinian-claim-falklands
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| Jeremy Clarkson row: airport disputes 'Argentinian' claim | Jeremy Clarkson row: airport disputes 'Argentinian' claim |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The airport where Jeremy Clarkson claims a worker refused to let the presenters of The Grand Tour on to a flight in revenge for a row over the Falklands has challenged his account, saying the employee was Spanish rather than Argentinian and the trio were too late to board. | The airport where Jeremy Clarkson claims a worker refused to let the presenters of The Grand Tour on to a flight in revenge for a row over the Falklands has challenged his account, saying the employee was Spanish rather than Argentinian and the trio were too late to board. |
| Stuttgart airport said that while the reports suggested a member of its ground staff had behaved in a way that had not met its standards in a dispute with the former Top Gear presenters, the trio had missed repeated calls to board while sitting in the lounge. | |
| A spokesperson said: “Due to airline policy, after a certain time of absence the luggage will be removed from the aircraft and the missing passengers will be withdrawn from the passenger list. From this point there is no chance for boarding, even if the passengers show up. | A spokesperson said: “Due to airline policy, after a certain time of absence the luggage will be removed from the aircraft and the missing passengers will be withdrawn from the passenger list. From this point there is no chance for boarding, even if the passengers show up. |
| “Nevertheless the personal behaviour of the staff member described in the media does not conform to our approach on customer service at Stuttgart airport. Stuttgart ground services will investigate the event with its staff. We do already know that the employee mentioned is Spanish, not Argentinian.” | “Nevertheless the personal behaviour of the staff member described in the media does not conform to our approach on customer service at Stuttgart airport. Stuttgart ground services will investigate the event with its staff. We do already know that the employee mentioned is Spanish, not Argentinian.” |
| The Sun had reported Clarkson’s claim that Manuel Pereira had shouted “I’m from Argentina so fuck you!” during a dispute over James May, Richard Hammond and himself not being allowed to board a flight from Stuttgart to Heathrow. | The Sun had reported Clarkson’s claim that Manuel Pereira had shouted “I’m from Argentina so fuck you!” during a dispute over James May, Richard Hammond and himself not being allowed to board a flight from Stuttgart to Heathrow. |
| Clarkson described Pereira as “a stupid, bitter and twisted little man who can’t get it into his head that Argentina’s armed forces are completely useless”. He also said the men were on time for their flight, alleged that airport workers falsely accused them of being drunk, and said the incident was reported to police. | Clarkson described Pereira as “a stupid, bitter and twisted little man who can’t get it into his head that Argentina’s armed forces are completely useless”. He also said the men were on time for their flight, alleged that airport workers falsely accused them of being drunk, and said the incident was reported to police. |
| He told the Sun: “This ignorant little worm made us miss our plane and he will pay for it. The police said it was a hate crime and he would be arrested.” | He told the Sun: “This ignorant little worm made us miss our plane and he will pay for it. The police said it was a hate crime and he would be arrested.” |
| Representatives of Clarkson declined to comment further on the claims. | Representatives of Clarkson declined to comment further on the claims. |
| In October 2014, the then cast and crew of the BBC’s Top Gear had to flee Argentina after being pelted with stones by a crowd incensed that one of their vehicles had a numberplate that appeared to refer to the Falklands conflict. The BBC denied that this was deliberate. | In October 2014, the then cast and crew of the BBC’s Top Gear had to flee Argentina after being pelted with stones by a crowd incensed that one of their vehicles had a numberplate that appeared to refer to the Falklands conflict. The BBC denied that this was deliberate. |
| Clarkson was dropped by the BBC in March 2015 after an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” that left a colleague bleeding and in need of hospital treatment. May and Hammond decided to follow Clarkson out of the door and were picked up by Amazon for The Grand Tour. | Clarkson was dropped by the BBC in March 2015 after an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” that left a colleague bleeding and in need of hospital treatment. May and Hammond decided to follow Clarkson out of the door and were picked up by Amazon for The Grand Tour. |
| The latest controversy coincides with the debut of the new show on Amazon Prime on Friday. | The latest controversy coincides with the debut of the new show on Amazon Prime on Friday. |