Clarkson apology to striking workers

LONDON – British prime minister David Cameron has criticised comments made by Top Geartelevision show presenter Jeremy Clarkson after he said the country's striking public sector workers should be "shot in front of their families".

Clarkson, whose mocking personality helped make Top Gear a popular worldwide show, was referring to state workers who were staging a 24-hour strike against government plans to make them pay more and work longer for their pensions.

“I’d have them all shot,” he said. “I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families.

“I mean how dare they go on strike when they have got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living?”

Clarkson apologised yesterday for his comments. “I didn’t for a moment intend these remarks to be taken seriously – as I believe is clear if they’re seen in context.”

Mr Cameron, who is a friend of the presenter, said the comments were a “silly thing to say”. “I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” he added.