Jeremy Clarkson: No further police action over 'fracas'

Jeremy Clarkson will face no further police action over his attack on a Top Gear producer at a hotel, North Yorkshire Police said today.

Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon had his lip split in a 30-second-long assault on March 4 and took himself to hospital with his injuries.

Clarkson reported the incident to the BBC five days later and was suspended by the broadcaster on March 10 before it announced his contract would not be renewed.

North Yorkshire Police released this statement about its decision not to pursue any further action over the attack:

The star received widespread public support - including from his friend, Prime Minister David Cameron - in the aftermath of the "fracas" while one million people signed a petition calling for the BBC to reinstate him.

But director-general Tony Hall said "a line has been crossed" and that "there cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another".

More: Jeremy Clarkson: Producer will not press charges over 'fracas'

Top Gear's executive producer Andy Wilman has denied reports that he has quit the hit show in the wake of Jeremy Clarkson's sacking because of his long-term friendship with the presenter.

Yesterday Mr Wilman sent an email to staff on the show congratulating them on making "one of the most iconic programmes in TV history" which was widely reported to be a resignation statement.

Mr Wilman, whose friendship with Clarkson dates back to their school days, said: "The email I wrote yesterday was not a resignation statement, and nor was it meant for public consumption.

"It was a private note of thanks to 113 people who have worked on the show over the years, but clearly one of those 113 is a bit of a tit, because they shared it with a website."

He added: "I don't get this modern obsession with sharing, linking, forwarding, retweeting. Whatever happened to a private moment?

"And if I were to resign, I wouldn't do it publicly. I'd do it old school by handing in my notice, to someone upstairs in HR.

Oisin Tymon, the Top Gear producer punched by Jeremy Clarkson during a row over food, has told North Yorkshire Police he does not want to press charges, his lawyer Paul Daniels has said.

North Yorkshire Police said they are still investigating the incident. A spokesman said: "Inquiries are ongoing."

Jeremy Clarkson refused to answer questions when asked earlier if he was worried about being arrested.

Returning to his home shortly after 3.30pm, he said: "All I would like to say is ... I wish people would leave Ois alone because none of this was his fault."

North Yorkshire Police today said it had spoken to some potential witnesses over the Jeremy Clarkson incident in a county hotel, adding it had "a duty to investigate where we believe an offence might have been committed".

Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked by the BBC. The Director General, Lord Hall said he was a "huge talent" but that distinctive voices couldn't be kept at any price.

The BBC investigation found he'd been involved in a verbal and physical altercation with a Top Gear producer.

As Nina Nannar reports, the police are now getting involved.

BBC executive Alan Yentob says the departure of Jeremy Clarkson from the corporation is a "sad day".

Speaking to ITV News, Mr Yentob said Jeremy Clarkson has added "something very special to the BBC".

Jeremy Clarkson has taken to his bike to get away from photographers as he left his home this evening. The former Top Gear presenter has yet to comment after being dropped by the BBC earlier today.

Former Top Gear presenter Quentin Willson says Jeremy Clarkson "is a very difficult bloke to work with".

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's PM programme he said: "Jeremy is a massive global talent.

"He's a very difficult bloke to work with, but there is this obvious truth, isn't there, that success always interferes with talent.

"If you've got a global audience of 350 million people hanging on your every word, then that makes you detached from your sources. It's so sad that this is his requiem, if you like."

He added: "This was, whichever way you look at it, unacceptable behaviour. It's not right to whack someone on your team because you haven't had your dinner."