I have never cared much for Jeremy Clarkson or his “Top Gear” motoring programme. A load of petrol heads drooling over camshafts and gearboxes is not my idea of fun. Clarkson has emerged from this niche market into general TV presenting and “journalism”……developing a public persona that is bluff, ultra-conservative and politically incorrect. He has already gained notoriety for saying that “train journeys are delayed by suicide jumpers” and that “truck drivers murder prostitutes”.

Somehow he gets away with this because he is….in BBC terms……box office.

Tonight on “The One Show” which is essentially a television programme about ……….television……..he was asked what he thought of the Public Service Strike. Now in itself we have to wonder why a TV “celeb” is actually asked that kind of question.

So typically Clarkson replies “I think they should be shot………taken out of their houses and executed in front of their families”.

I find that disgusting. Not least because I have known people who were “executed” in front of their families. Yet he will get away with it. He has after all…….apologised. So thats all right then.

Well no……..its not all right at all. To post a Facebook status…..seriously or flippantly calling for a riot is now illegal. People have a criminal record  for this. Is calling, seriously or flippantly for people to be shot dead…….not as serious? There is a campaign under way already…..calling for his sacking. He will ride out the storm and the right wing tabloids will rally round him, claiming he is a victim of “political correctness gone maaaaaaaaaaaad”

But there is actually a precedent. Some three years ago on BBC Radio, Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand, telephoned Andrew Sachs (the 80 year old actor from “Fawlty Towers”) and unable to talk to him, left a message on his answer machine……..in which Mr Sachs was informed that Mr Brand had had sex with his granddaughter.

The Right-Wing tabloids demanded action and no amount of contrition from Ross or Brand could save them. They were suspended from the BBC. Jonathan Ross has since left the BBC and joined ITV. His career has not recovered.

Doesn’t this proper action against Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand set a precedent for how Jeremy Clarkson should be treated?