BBC decides not to renew Jeremy Clarkson’s contract

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson leaves his home in London, Wednesday March 11, 2015. BBC News said Wednesday that the broadcaster has postponed the three remaining episodes after suspending host Jeremy Clarkson over a reported "fracas" with a producer. The current series was launched simultaneously in more than 50 countries and the BBC has sold the format for locally produced versions in the U.S., China, Russia, Australia and South Korea. (AP Photo/PA, Philip Toscano) UNITED KINGDOM OUT  NO SALES  NO ARCHIVE

Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson AP Photo/PA, Philip Toscano

LONDON — The BBC says it has decided not to renew the contract of “Top Gear” host Jeremy Clarkson after a fracas with his producer.

BBC Director-General Tony Hall said in a statement Wednesday that he decided to publish the findings that Clarkson physically and verbally attacked a producer for the program. The investigation found that the producer had to go to a hospital after the incident.

Hall says that he knows how popular the program is “and I also know that this decision will divide opinion,” but that a line had been crossed in the case of Clarkson’s often controversial behavior.

Last year, Argentina’s ambassador demanded an apology from the BBC after the “Top Gear” crew allegedly referenced the country’s 1982 war with Britain over the Falkland Islands.

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