Clarkson joins the Burka row with fury over 'burka babes' joke

[-:Undertaker:-]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz...wear-joke.html

Jeremy Clarkson has joined the debate on whether burkas should be permitted in Britain in his own inimitable style.The outspoken presenter provoked a flurry of complaints after telling viewers of Top Gear on Sunday night that he had seen a Muslim woman wearing saucy underwear beneath her gown. Clarkson had been discussing the best way to stop drivers being distracted by female pedestrians, along with co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May. More than six million viewers had tuned in to watch the show, which featured guest appearances from Hollywood stars Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz.

In front of the studio audience, he said: 'This is an important bit of news, I really want to bring this up. People imagine that the most dangerous time of the year to drive is November or perhaps February - dark nights, fog, ice. 'But we were talking about this the other day and we think the most dangerous time to drive a car is round about now. Sunny skies, light breezes, girls wearing short skirts, because the thing is, you can't not look. You can't physically not look.' Hammond interjected, saying: 'You can physically not use your mobile phone and it's easy not to drive home when you've had 18 pints of lager. But when you're driving along and a girl walks past, you have to look. Actually, do you not think that here, there is actually a case for the burka? Because then the problem would go away.'

Clarkson then replied: 'No, no, no. Honestly, the burka doesn't work. I was in a cab in Piccadilly the other day when a woman in a full burka crossing the road in front of me tripped over the pavement, went head over heels and up it came, red g-string and stockings. I promise that happened. The taxi driver will back me up on that.' Despite disbelief from his co-stars, Clarkson again insisted the incident took place. By yesterday morning, seven viewers had already contacted the BBC to complain, while singer Lily Allen labelled the comment 'distasteful' on her Twitter site. Another viewer wrote: 'Clarkson is too old for mini skirt jokes - burka story obscene - horrid.'

The debate has intensified across Europe after both France and Belgium announced they are introducing bans on veils earlier this month, prompting accusations of discrimination against Muslims. Spain is considering it and similar calls have emerged in Britain, although these have been ruled out by the Coalition government. The ban in France will include women wearing niqabs, veils covering the head and mouth while leaving the eyes exposed and the head-to-toe burkas, which also cover the eyes with a mesh mask.

Immigration Minister Damian Green, resisted demands from Tory MP Philip Hollobone to ban the burka, which critics claim is a symbol of the oppression of women. Mr Green said a ban would be 'rather un-British' and run contrary to the conventions of a 'tolerant and mutually respectful society'. This is despite a YouGov survey which found that 67 per cent of voters wanted the wearing of full-face veils to be outlawed. Clarkson, 50, is no stranger to controversy. In 2008, he famously mocked lorry drivers by saying they cared only about fuel prices and killing prostitutes - a reference to Suffolk Strangler Steven Wright and Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe. His comments drew more than 300 complaints.

Fantastic fella, now its; France, Syria, Belgium, Spain, UKIP, the Labour Party, the British government and Clarkson all involved in this burka row. I do like Clarkson, his views are usually spot on and he knows when to stick his foot in. The man just tells it how it is.

CLARKSON FOR PM!!

Do you think his comments merit complaints?

[MrPinkPanther]

This story aside (because I fear we will get into an argument) I think Clarkson is a douche.

[Special]

let's see if his a 'fantasitc fella' when he says something you disagree with...

[-:Undertaker:-]

let's see if his a 'fantasitc fella' when he says something you disagree with...

How does that even make sense? You think Clarksons comments are distasteful I take it then? - oh please, it was a joke. If people do not like his humour then they shouldn't tune in, simple as. This thread is only intended anyway as a light joke, as its typical Clarkson.

[Jordy]

To be fair he probably is telling the truth. I remember watching a documentary on Saudi Arabia not long back which is probably the most strict of all the Muslim countries, women have to wear the burqa or some sort of head-dress I believe. Anyway you saw people wearing the burqa shopping in expensive lingerie shops and places like Gap, Ted Baker etc all within Saudi Shopping Centres. They do buy the same clothes as the rest of us to wear around the house and in private places, they just cover up in public.

As for the relevance of this article I don't really see how it matters, Clarkson hasn't really said his thoughts on the burqa, he's just told a story.

I personally think my Burqa story tops it though, yesterday at Alton Towers, 4 women wore the Burqa on Rita at Alton Towers and then bought the ride photo, it honestly made my entire day.

[Neversoft]

I think a bunch of the same people just love complaining to the BBC because they hate paying license fees. Some of the stupidest stuff gets complained about these days... in other news didn't Clarkson once get around 50,000 signatures in an online petition to make him Prime Minister?

[Moh]

I think a bunch of the same people just love complaining to the BBC because they hate paying license fees. Some of the stupidest stuff gets complained about these days... in other news didn't Clarkson once get around 50,000 signatures in an online petition to make him Prime Minister?

Yeah, I'v seen loads of things on other channels that are much worse and people don't complain to them lol

[Apolva]

Only 7 complaints?

Problem: People will complain about anything on TV.
Solution: don't watch TV, it's not compulsory, go read a book or something.

[Inseriousity.]

I personally think my Burqa story tops it though, yesterday at Alton Towers, 4 women wore the Burqa on Rita at Alton Towers and then bought the ride photo, it honestly made my entire day.

I was at thorpe park and saw 2 women wearing it. First time I've seen someone wear one actually. Having seen some of my ride photos that day, I should've wore one as well tbh (then again they're so expensive, robbing *******s)

I find Clarkson funny. It's just typical Clarkson humour and I wouldn't be surprised if it's true.

[Camy]

I love how stupid people are, and actually bother to write in and complain about this. It was just a joke, people are far too serious. At the end of the day he wasn't saying anything 'anti-burqa' and people don't have to watch top gear, they should know what hes like by now.