Jeremy Clarkson calls suicide by train 'selfish'

[John Ashworth]

Many footplate crew would probably agree with Clarkson that suicide by jumping in front of a train is a selfish way to go...

Backlash against Jeremy Clarkson after he calls railway track suicides 'selfish'

Top Gear presenter's comments about commuter disruption provoke condemnation from mental health charities

Jasmine Coleman and agencies
guardian.co.uk, Saturday 3 December 2011 10.25 GMT

Jeremy Clarkson faced further censure on Saturday after describing people who killed themselves by jumping under trains as "selfish".

His comments in his column in the Sun newspaper provoked outrage from mental health charities.

The Top Gear presenter is already mired in controversy for suggesting on BBC1's The One Show that public sector strikers should be "shot in front of their families".

He was forced to apologise for that statement, which generated more than 21,000 complaints.

Clarkson also made comments about train suicides in the same show and in his Sun column on Saturday, he said those who chose to kill themselves at railway stations caused "immense" disruption for commuters.

"I have the deepest sympathy for anyone whose life is so mangled and messed up that they believe death's icy embrace will be better," he wrote.

"However, it is a very selfish way to go because the disruption it causes is immense. And think what it's like for the poor train driver who sees you lying on the line and can do absolutely nothing to avoid a collision."

Referring to those who jumped in front of trains as "Johnny Suicide", Clarkson said trains should resume their journey as soon as possible following a suicide and leave the body parts for scavenging animals.

Catherine Johnstone, chief executive of the Samaritans, said the insensitivity of Clarkson's comments "truly beggars belief".

She said: "While purporting to express sympathy for people who die this way, his remarks about their bodies constitute gross intrusion into the grief and shock of bereaved families and friends.

"His notion that suicide is a selfish act shows how little he knows about the subject because, if he did, he would know that when a person attempts suicide they are so distressed that they genuinely believe their families will be better off without them.

"The concept that their actions could be construed as selfish is the furthest thing from their mind."

Johnstone added that insensitive media coverage of suicide could trigger so-called "copycat" deaths.

"We have already made a complaint to Ofcom about his remarks on The One Show and we will now be taking up today's comments with the Press Complaints Commission."

Paul Farmer, chief executive of Mind, described the comments as "extraordinarily tasteless".

He said: "I think there will be many people who have lost loved ones to suicide and people who have contemplated suicide that will think it is in extremely bad taste.

"It stands out like a sore thumb from what is increasingly a more supportive approach to suicide by the media.

"People will feel like he is trivialising the subject and dismissing people who have taken their own lives. This is a man who really doesn't understand what he is talking about."

The One Show presenter Matt Baker apologised on air for the suicide comments, admitting it was not a suitable conversation for a 7pm show.

Clarkson's comments on public sector strikers on Wednesday's programme have left the BBC facing the biggest complaints storm since the "Sachsgate" row in 2008.

Asked about the strikers, he said: "I'd have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families. I mean, how dare they go on strike when they've got these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed while the rest of us have to work for a living?"

Unison called for the presenter to be sacked and he later apologised.

But BBC sources have said there would be no "massive inquest" into Clarkson's remarks about strikers.

[John Ashworth]

The Guardian later adds to the story with a supportive comment from a rabbi:

But a rabbi has defended Clarkson's remarks. Dr Jonathan Romain, of Maidenhead synagogue, said: "I am totally sympathetic to the black depression that overtakes those who commit suicide, and certainly want to prevent any future ones, but Clarkson has done everyone a favour by saying out aloud that, while people have the right to end their lives, they should not do so in a way that scars others. People who commit suicide always think they are doing everyone else a favour but as it happens… they are usually wrong."