Jeremy Clarkson has apologised and settled the claim against him for racial discrimination and injury, according to the claimant’s lawyers.
Producer Oisin Tymon launched the case against the TV presenter last year after an incident involving verbal abuse and Tymon ending up with a bloody lip.
In his apology, released by Tymon’s lawyers Slater and Gordon, Clarkson said: “I would like to say sorry, once again, to Oisin Tymon for the incident and its regrettable aftermath.
“I want to reiterate that none of this was in any way his fault.
“I would also like to make it clear that the abuse he has suffered since the incident is unwarranted and I am sorry too that he has had to go through that.
“I am pleased that this matter is now resolved. Oisin was always a creatively exciting part of Top Gear and I wish him every success with his future projects.”
The financial settlement has been reported as being in excess of £100,000, paid by both Clarkson and the BBC, but no further details have been given.
A BBC investigation into the incident, which led to Clarkson leaving the BBC, found that Tymon had been on the receiving end of an unprovoked physical and verbal assault, in which Clarkson is supposed to have called the producer a “lazy Irish c**t” – the basis for the racial discrimination claim.
A spokesperson for the BBC commented on the settlement: “The action involving Mr Tymon and the BBC has been resolved. Oisin is a valued member of the BBC who behaved with huge integrity in dealing with the very difficult circumstances last year – a situation in which, as Tony Hall has stated, he was completely blameless.
“We are pleased that matters have now been resolved.
“Oisin has made an important contribution to the BBC in his 12 years with us, and we hope to see him continue to realise his potential in his role as a development executive.
“We believe Oisin has a very exciting future at the BBC.”
The case had originally been listed at the Central London Employment Tribunal for a 10-day hearing, beginning on May 3.
