In an interview with The Times Magazine, former Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson talks about his time within the BBC.
Specifically, Clarkson talks of Danny Cohen, the previous director of television at the station:
“Danny and I were, and I suspect will remain for ever, very far apart on every single thing. Normally, you could find some common ground with somebody, but I think Danny and I could probably only get on perfectly well so long as we absolutely never had to think about each other for the rest of the time. Because I don’t mind anyone having an opinion that’s different to mine, just so long as they don’t mind my opinion either. So long as it doesn’t impinge on what I want to do.”
Clarkson's contract with the BBC was not renewed last year after he assaulted a producer on his show, and just last week he issued a public apology to that producer, after settling a £100,000 (€128,000) racial discrimination and personal injury claim with him.
The Times Magazine states that a source close to Cohen reacted to Clarkson's interview: “Danny has no interest in responding to inaccurate claims, but remains proud to have taken action against a man who saw fit to punch a colleague.”