Motoring broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson has turned to litigation boutique Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan’s disputes partner Martin Davies as legal adviser after the BBC announced it would not be renewing the Top Gear presenter’s contract.
The controversial presenter was dropped from the BBC on Wednesday (25 March) following what was dubbed a ‘fracas’ with Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon. Clarkson was suspended from the show on March 10 after it emerged that he physically attacked Tymon in a row while filming on location in North Yorkshire.
Davies is leading the case should any potential commercial dispute develop in concerns to his employment contract. It is understood the presenter could face police investigation after the BBC conducted an internal inquiry overseen by BBC Scotland director Ken MacQuarrie, in which Clarkson actions were described as an ‘unprovoked physical and verbal attack’.
Olswang senior partner Mark Devereux first represented Clarkson during the BBC’s official disciplinary investigation after the incident occurred on 4 March. Both Quinn Emanuel and Olswang refused to comment.
Slater & Gordon senior principal lawyer in employment and partnership Paul Daniels, who is representing Tymon, said: ‘This last month has been a nightmare for Oisin, his friends and his family. Through absolutely no fault of his own he found himself at the centre of a massive news story, but despite that he has conducted himself with dignity, restraint and balance.’
jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk