RHA finds Top Gear HGV crash stunt insulting

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) chief executive Roger Kings is leading the criticism of this week’s Top Gear, whose content in their view was utterly offensive and controversial. This week’s Top Gear featured Jeremy Clarkson – driving a Renault Magnum through a brick wall. Apart from that, Clarkson also labelled HGV drivers as “prostitute murderers”.

Roger King has written to BBC director general Mark Thompson to complain about the programme.

He says: “Not every HGV driver is beyond reproach, but as an industry – we pride ourselves in seeking to obtain the highest professional excellence in driving standards. Driving a HGV through brick walls and other obstacles trivialises the essential role of the HGV.  What has truly upset our members is in fact the reference by Jeremy Clarkson that as a “self-acclaimed HGV driver”, he felt the need to “murder prostitutes”. While this could be interpreted as being “humorous” or “hilarious” by many, it certainly is not seen that way or even similarly by over half a million HGV or LGV drivers who take great exception at such needless labelling.”

Furthermore, King concludes by noting:

“I would have thought more attention would be made to ensure that highly paid TV presenters did not gratuitously insult other members of the working population.”