Deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman last night called for the BBC to sack Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson over the use of the “n word”.
The shadow Culture Secretary said anybody who used the word “in whatever context” should have no place at the broadcaster. Her intervention came after Education Secretary Michael Gove urged the corporation not to axe Clarkson.
In a Twitter post, Ms Harman said: “Anybody who uses the n word in public or private in whatever context has no place in the British Broadcasting Corporation.”
Clarkson became embroiled in a racism row following claims that he used the n word while reciting the rhyme “Eeny, Meeny, Miny Moe” while shooting an episode of the BBC2 programme.
In the footage Clarkson is using the rhyme to compare two sports cars. He said he “mumbled where the offensive word would normally occur” in two takes, and used the word “teacher” in its place in a third.
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