Jeremy Clarkson in new BBC standards row

UK: I am all for going after that drug addled twit Russell Brand and the other guy, but hands off Jeremy Clarkson.

His comments were aired on Sunday night, in the midst of the public outcry over obscene phone calls made by Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs. The pre-recorded remarks made by Clarkson were cleared for broadcast by senior BBC executives. But they have prompted nearly 200 viewer complaints and a furious response from victim support groups and road hauliers. Ofcom, the media regulator, has also received complaints and is considering an investigation. Clarkson and his co-presenters, James May and Richard Hammond, were taking part in a stunt for the BBC2 show which involved driving lorries around an obstacle course. Climbing behind the wheel, Clarkson mused: "What matters to lorry drivers? Murdering prostitutes? Fuel economy?" He went on: "This is a hard job, and I'm not just saying this to win favour with lorry drivers. It's a hard job - change gear, change gear, change gear, check your mirrors, murder a prostitute, change gear, change gear, murder. That's a lot of effort in a day."