Clarkson 'burka joke sparks complaints'
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 09:22 BST
BBCComments made by Jeremy Clarkson on Sunday night's edition of Top Gear about Muslim women have sparked complaints from viewers.
The 50-year-old told co-hosts Richard Hammond and James May that he was distracted by women in burkas when driving because he knows what they wear underneath, reports the Daily Star.
Clarkson claimed that he had once witnessed a woman in a burka fall "head over heels" in front of his taxi and saw her "red G-string and stockings".
Hammon claimed the incident "did not happen" but Clarkson insisted that it had.
"I promise you, it did happen. The taxi driver will back me up," he said.
A Mediawatch spokesperson later criticised the comments.
"He should learn to keep quiet - every time he opens his mouth he upsets someone," they said.
Controversial Muslim preacher Omar Bakri Muhammad reportedly told the paper: "This shows how much hatred he has for Muslims in general, and Muslim women in particular.
"If he speaks about the honour of Muslim women, it requires Muslim people to respond."
He added: "And if he doesn’t apologise he could face Muslim youth attacking him physically."
Meanwhile another viewer complained that Clarkson had gone "too far this time" with his "offensive and disrespectful" joke.
The BBC confirmed that it had received seven complaints.