RHA Recovery Group says "Give us a break Mr Livingstone"
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Top Gear, Sunday 2 November - RHA response
Following the broadcast of the BBC Top Gear programme on Sunday in which one of the presenters, Jeremy Clarkson made what were considered to be wholly inappropriate comments regarding HGV drivewrs, RHA Chief Executive Roger King has written to Mr Mark Thomson, Director General of the BBC. The transcript of Mr King's letter is as follows...
Dear Sir
Having watched Sunday’s Top Gear programme on BBC2 and the antics of the three presenters when driving heavy goods vehicles, I am not alone in wishing to express my disgust at the way this part of the programme was executed.
The Road Haulage Association represents some 9,500 road haulage companies operating nearly 100 thousand HGVs on our roads. Not every goods vehicle driver is beyond reproach but, as an industry, we pride ourselves in seeking to obtain the highest professional excellence in driving standards.
Driving a truck through brick walls and other obstacles trivialises the essential role of the goods vehicle in fuelling the basic needs of the UK economy. These vehicles are very challenging to drive as your presenters discovered, although it has to be said, unladen trucks are nowhere near as challenging as those that are fully laden.
What has truly upset our members is the reference by Jeremy Clarkson that as a "self-acclaimed goods vehicle driver", he felt the need to ‘murder prostitutes’. Whilst this could be interpreted as being ‘humorous’ by some, it certainly is not seen that way by over half a million lorry drivers who take great exception at such type casting.
At a time when the BBC has come in for much criticism over the Brand/Ross debacle, 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.
I look forward your response.
Roger King
Chief Executive
Road Haulage Association
