Ex Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon sues Jeremy Clarkson for racial discrimination

The Irish former Top Gear producer who was punched and verbally abused by Jeremy Clarkson is suing him for racial discrimination.

Oisin Tymon was attacked in a row over food at a hotel in March which resulted in Clarkson losing his job.

Mr Tymon drove himself to hospital after the incident and told police at the time he did not want to press charges.

Today he attended a hearing at a London employment tribunal along with lawyers for both Clarkson and the BBC.

It is understood the case relates to alleged "Irish insults".

Clarkson, who was later fired by the BBC, reportedly called Tymon a “lazy, Irish c***” during the confrontation at a hotel in north Yorkshire.

Tymon’s law firm Slater and Gordon said it would not comment on the case.

A BBC spokeswoman said: “We will be responding to this claim but will not be commenting further at this time.”

Clarkson was suspended after the "fracas" over catering on March 10, and was sacked by the BBC on March 25, following an internal inquiry.

The inquiry, led by the director of BBC Scotland Ken MacQuarrie, said Tymon “was struck, resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip” during the “unprovoked physical and verbal attack”.

MacQuarrie added: “The verbal abuse was sustained over a longer period, both at the time of the physical attack and subsequently.”

Since his departure from Top Gear, Clarkson has signed a new deal with Amazon Prime to present a motoring show, which will air in 2016.

He will be joined by his co-presenters from the BBC show, Richard Hammond and James May, as well as producer Andy Wilman.