This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/jimmy-savile-victims-call-comparison-of-clarkson-with-prolific-paedophile-totally-offensive-10110151.html
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Jeremy Clarkson comparison to Jimmy Savile branded 'totally offensive' by victims of notorious paedophile | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Victims of Jimmy Savile have condemned suggestions that suspended TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been afforded the same kind of support and protection shown to the deceased paedophile, who abused thousands of people, as “totally offensive”. | Victims of Jimmy Savile have condemned suggestions that suspended TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been afforded the same kind of support and protection shown to the deceased paedophile, who abused thousands of people, as “totally offensive”. |
| Clarkson is alleged to have punched producer Oisin Tymon in an argument over hot food. The Top Gear presenter reportedly called Tymon a “lazy, Irish c***” before hitting him, though Clarkson is expected to deny using xenophobic language when he faces a disciplinary inquiry at the BBC. | Clarkson is alleged to have punched producer Oisin Tymon in an argument over hot food. The Top Gear presenter reportedly called Tymon a “lazy, Irish c***” before hitting him, though Clarkson is expected to deny using xenophobic language when he faces a disciplinary inquiry at the BBC. |
| As the scandal has unfolded, Tymon has made it clear that he did not report the incident, while it has been revealed that Clarkson initiated the investigation into his actions by reporting himself to the BBC. | As the scandal has unfolded, Tymon has made it clear that he did not report the incident, while it has been revealed that Clarkson initiated the investigation into his actions by reporting himself to the BBC. |
| An unnamed senior BBC official was quoted in the Mail on Sunday as suggesting Clarkson’s stature and his powerful friends, which includes Prime Minister David Cameron, gives him the freedom to behave in any manner he wishes, and that the support shown for Clarkson appeared “Savilesque”. | An unnamed senior BBC official was quoted in the Mail on Sunday as suggesting Clarkson’s stature and his powerful friends, which includes Prime Minister David Cameron, gives him the freedom to behave in any manner he wishes, and that the support shown for Clarkson appeared “Savilesque”. |
| “The pressure this guy [Tymon] is under is so Savilesque in a way,” the official reportedly said, adding: “If you look at what David Cameron says or what [former culture secretary Maria Miller] says and you swap Clarkson for Savile, you get this: David Cameron is effectively saying that Savile’s a real talent, Maria Miller saying Savile will be Savile.” | “The pressure this guy [Tymon] is under is so Savilesque in a way,” the official reportedly said, adding: “If you look at what David Cameron says or what [former culture secretary Maria Miller] says and you swap Clarkson for Savile, you get this: David Cameron is effectively saying that Savile’s a real talent, Maria Miller saying Savile will be Savile.” |
| Saville was a serial sexual abuser Savile’s victims have branded the reported comments as “upsetting” and “totally offensive”. | Saville was a serial sexual abuser Savile’s victims have branded the reported comments as “upsetting” and “totally offensive”. |
| Liz Dux, a lawyer from Slater and Gordon, the firm representing 169 of those abused by the paedophile, said many found the comparison “highly inappropriate”. | Liz Dux, a lawyer from Slater and Gordon, the firm representing 169 of those abused by the paedophile, said many found the comparison “highly inappropriate”. |
| “Many of Savile’s victims find a direct parallel between these issues to be upsetting and highly inappropriate,” she said. | “Many of Savile’s victims find a direct parallel between these issues to be upsetting and highly inappropriate,” she said. |
| “One victim said that while both have celebrity status, to suggest other similarities is totally offensive. | “One victim said that while both have celebrity status, to suggest other similarities is totally offensive. |
| “Nevertheless, they want the lessons from Savile learned, whereby fame and celebrity must never be an excuse to overlook wrongdoing.” | “Nevertheless, they want the lessons from Savile learned, whereby fame and celebrity must never be an excuse to overlook wrongdoing.” |
| Additional reporting by PA | Additional reporting by PA |