I'm what jeremy would call a left wing nut. But in this case he's so right. Why does freedom of speech only apply to those who are semmingly "pc".

It boils my blood when people get on their high horse only because they're looking for an argument, or can't accept that someone disagrees with them.

Dillon, London,

Jeremy , please try and rise up a bit beyond the lowest common denominator, then you might be more amusing, however that would take maturity, not much chance then....

patrick elsdale, edinburgh,

But there's still some good that can come out of this compliance obsession.

Presumably we can now ban Gordon Brown from appearing on our screens; after all, he may offend Tories.

Rob, Newcastle upon Tyne,

I agree totally, trouble is we live in the free world which apparently isn't...

Stewart, Budapest, UK

i must be getting old...i agreed with everything he said.

david, london, england

Well said. This is censorship, big time. Control, control, control.
This is now very serious. Where in the world will it all end?
I am seriously worried.

richard Vaughan-Davies, mold, UK

As I've already said, spot on Jeremy. Oh, and can anyone lend me a new V8 petrol Range Rover, I fancy a pointless drive around the neighbourhood. Just Because!!

Jonathan, Langley, Canada

I wonder how many "It's Political Correctness gone mad!!" editorials I have read in my lifetime. Seriously, it must be hundreds, if not thousands. A quick and easy way to fill a column and gain instant support.

Paul, Aberdeen, Scotland

You think its bad over there, try being on TV here in the states. There are so many "PC" groups out there that if you say " I will not shoot a bear" someone will have an axe to grind against you.

Dustin Worthey, Monette, AR, United States

I understand your view, and partially support you, but it's very offensive to a LARGE population if someone says "I want to shoot a bear" instead of "cabbage is disgusting" - even if you found a group called "People for the Protection of Cabbage Welfare" in an attic somewhere. THERE'S A DIFFERENCE.

Maddi, Baltimore, USA

Yahoo Jeremy, tell it as it is. Stand for the job of Prime Minister and I'll vote for you.

Anne, Southport, UK

Good show.

Bob, Preston, UK

Why not overwhelm the compliance censors with copy? That way, they can choose either to delay broadcast, or pass it -- and then it will be their fault either way!

Toby wright, Mancheste, Uk

Spot On! Well Done Jeremy, This Is The Best Articale I Have Read In Ages, Keep Up The Good Work.

Matthew, Comrie, Scotland

You know someone might complain about this don't you?

Anthony smales, Beverley, East Yorks

I totally agree with Jeremy. Certain groups think they have more right to their views than the rest of us which then reduces the freedom of speech on TV. If I don't like something on the telly I just turn it off. I don't understand this culture for phoning to complain.

Maureen, Glasgow, Scotland

Jeremy this is the best thing you’ve written in ages – whole-heartedly agree!

Tim, Kenilworth, UK

This is why the TV license should be abolished. They only have a soapbox to complain from because of the fee. Kick the box away and tell them to change the channel if they don't like what they see/hear. Sadly... in a Communist country....

Steve, Derby, UK

I'm not sure I understand this; Nigela Lawson said something that offended someone and then she didn't lose her job or anything - how is this a story worth commenting on or getting angry about? I'd be angry if she'd lost her job but she didn't.
JC, like these pressure groups, is too easily irritated

Dan Cupid, Shanghai, China

Clarkson!

Good article but stop pratting about and get yourself on Strictly Come Dancing.

That is the way to undermine the holy BBC.

We'll keep voting for you as you clodhop across the floor right through to you winning the final.

John Sargeant chickened out but you will win.

Dr Hackenbush, The Sanitorium, Vienne, France

Jeremy, why don't you make a TV programme/series about how far the absurdities of PC thinking have taken us ? To qualify for participating in the programme, only obstinate politically incorrect people should be admitted . Would make some splendid television !

Alex, Lummen, Belgium

I do enjoy reading the comments of those people who completely miss the point of the article.

Bravo! Although, maybe in hindsight you should have someone explain it contents before you make yourself look a little silly.

Good article Jeremy

DaveCottle, Shrewsbury,

I guess there was a time when someone saying something contrary to your opinion encouraged you to debate it with them. We seemed to have moved into a world where few people want to question their own beliefs any more. I'm sure Jeremy says things for effect, sadly few seem to recognise this?

Penni, London,

Nice to see he endorses my right to support the war in Iraq. About time.

Paul, Detroit, USA

I have come to realise that the only way Clarkson types are ever going to treat cycling with some level of respect is for cyclists to dress either as Orthodox Jews or adopt an African look. At least any antagonism can then be seen for what it is even without the crazy make up, ie prejudice.

Mark Cooke, Bridgend,

Where can I buy some mink knickers?

Nigel, Melbourne, Australia

Jeremy - you're absolutely right. Don't stop fighting the system. I find Eastenders offensive ( can't stand the accent and their dysfunctionall lives) I just don't watch it! Tell these people to do the same.

Elaine cree, New York, USA

The BBC should have more confidence in what they broadcast and more nerve. We the general public, generally are a bright bunch and tend to be sick of being treated as if we need TV that is only fit for the under 5's.

David, London,

If PETA are so bright why do they call their blog "The PETA Files"?

Andrew, Bristol,

Agree totally. Friends keep on sending me BBC articles where they have deliberately omitted to use the term 'Muslim' or even 'jew' despite it being absolutely necessary to understanding the story.

You look at the same story elsewhere and note the differences. Freedom of speech? Think not.

pcollier, London, United Kingdom

It's a shame that all Clarkson's examples are of stupid people saying very stupid things. If the BBC is to cut down on stupidity then I think not hearing Clarkson's uninformed views is a price worth paying.

J Harker, London, UK

As a Clarkson hating, (usually) Guardian reading, left, beardy, sandal wearing, veggie anti-car hippie I never thought I'd say this but.....

I completely agree with Clarkson.

Dolly, London,

"Freedom of speech" means exactly that. We're supposed to be free to say...whatever, really. If someone is offended, that's what other publications/websites/channels are for, and it's certainly what the remote control is for. Nobody is--or should be--a captive audience.

Paige, Albany, GA, US

Was it Oscar Wilde who said " I may not agree with what he said but I will fight to the death to defend his right to say it " ?
michael, London, UK
Nope it was Voltaire, can you image Oscar fighting to the death over anything?

Paul, Oxford, UK

Everyone should have the right to be offended and say so, but censorship should not be the outcome.

Stephen Morgan, Oakville, Canada

That the Times would even deign to print this sort of rubbish is a reflection on the sorry state of British 'culture'.

henry laycock, kingston, canada

Apparently, it costs £3/day to protect animals- but guess what, children in the developing world are even cheaper to feed! Why is there no plug for people charities below this article?

A.Fleisch, Silsden,

theyre professionally angry - youre professionally 14

John, Kent,

Go Jezza, go Jezza...

It's about time everyone started acting like adults and stepped back over the crazy line.

Laura, Alnwick,

Clarkson is well-known for his strongly stated opinions, but he makes the mistake of thinking that people who disagree with his views are 'loonies' or 'weirdos'. Nonsense! His own opinions on many topics are, in my view, outrageous, however entertainingly put forward. He must expect criticism!

Bruce Adams, Inchture, Scotland

Its the Borg who say "comply" which would make the BBC the Borg Broadcasting Corporation

Tim Knight, Birmingham, England

Absolutely agree. The BBC should be ashamed. Maybe we should by their management some backbones for Christmas?

Dave, London, UK

Freedom of Speech is ultimately the right to be honest.

I find attacks on Free Speech, and so-called "Political Correctness" - Orwellian newspeak-like attempts to control/police thought in violation of Freedom of Thought - grossly offensive.

Jeremy, please start a pro Free Speech pressure group!

Simon, Brentwood, UK

"...no matter how pallid and drawn their badly malnourished faces may be". Now you've really done it Jeremy. You have offended vegetarians by insinuating that they all have bad complexions! Your only hope now is to go directly to your superiors and plead for mercy.

Paul X, California, USA

I couldn't agree more with the sage of Chipping Norton. The BBC's approach effectively turns its back on the core values and beliefs of the majority of its potential audience and panders to the fringes and extremes instead which should get exposure on less prominient channels than BBCs 1,2,3 or 4.

Adam, Newark, UK

Everyone has an opinion these days, and if you state yours, someone is bound to disagree with you. Having a policy in place that discourages people from saying mean things is even more offensive. It is offensive because it implies that BBC's audience can't handle mean words, and must be secluded.

J. Dillon, St. Louis, United States

The problem is that too many people think George Orwell wrote an instruction manual....

Ricardo, Adelaide, Australia

I agree. I don't post comments normally but this country spends the majority of it's resources to appease the minority. The current timidity of the BBC is a symptom of a national problem.

It's a pendulum effect - we were too far the other way once, now we're too far this way. Strike a balance!

Maria, Manchester, UK

What can i say to express my opinion on this one? I think 'Jeremy Clarkson for Prime Minister' probably summarises it!

But seriously, the BBC is clearly pandering to extremists.. I get so angry with people who speak for pressure groups and insist that we restrict our right to say as we please.

Aaron S, Hove, East Sussex

Stop complaining. Some people would pay good money to be gagged by mink knickers.

Fred, Hants,

This argument is about money. The commercial channels envy the license fee and are orchestrating an anti-BBC campaign to have it reduced or stopped altogether. In their headlong rush to pull the BBC down they are ignoring their own money-making opportunities and the restrictions the BBC works under.

Gill, Gravesend,

No, it's not about fair access to debate.
This is, as Charlie Brooker has pointed out, about a world so used to reality television, that people feel they now have a right to vote on what they think regarding whatever they watch. If we had the chance to vote in support of people being funny...

Slink Jadranko, Berwick, UK

Why is it that every time Jeremy goes into print the article is the only copy that is bang on !
The man is a genious, all for saying it as it actualy is !
Please keep it up.

Martin Briggs, Old Basing, England

Stop getting your mink knickers in a twist, Jeremy - this is about fair access to debate , not PC or censorship. Why should the views of over-paid celebs dominate the media? If it wasn't for argument and debate nothing would ever change - the anti-slavery lot were once regarded as 'extreme' too.

Jane Easton, Bristol, UK

If only we could be led by this man with donkeys........

John, Sussex,

and... yes, where on the article is "skinning an animal alive" ever mentioned?

kirastus, london,

Agree 100%. The only point Clarkson didnt mention is that the BBC and all its cronies are a big part of the problem.
Put your money where your mouth is Jeremy and move over to the commercial sector.

John Bowell, Bolton, UK

Hey Jeremy, if the BBC is such a left wing bastion that refuses to let you be yourself why don't you quit and try your luck in the commercial sector. Maybe ITV would come in with a great big cheque to get you to relaunch your fabulously successful chat show. Or maybe not.

Michelle, London ,

Oh Lawks. What IS going on. I agree with Clarkson. Extreme times indeed.

Greg Clarke, Brodgnorth,

Great stuff and well said. Political correctness has gone too far to the extent it is now preventing freedom of speech. Was it Oscar Wilde who said " I may not agree with what he said but I will fight to the death to defend his right to say it " ?

michael, London, UK

Julie Gianni I am confused.... who mentioned anything about skinning animals whilst alive???

matt, Sydney, Australia

well said jeremy keep it going

richard david, bridgend,

Some Western countries are trying to demonstrate their empathy by trying to please all of the people all of the time. It never works, everything becomes bland mush. This relates to some people taking the contrarian approach to everything (you too sometimes Jeremy!). BUT there must be some boundary.

Graham, Abu Dhabi,

This is not political correctness, which was invented to stop people being bullied by malevolent forces in our society. This is a case of the World's most trusted broadcasting agency loosing all confidence, because of an insipid, retrogressive mob which is taking over Britain. It is terrifiying

Chris, Worcestershire, UK

Jeremy can and should say what he wants, but to joke about wearing animals that are skinned while completely alive is in uneducated, poor taste. Watch a video of these animals blinking and looking at the camera after all their skin/fur has been ripped from their body. This is not right.

Julie Gianni, Chicago, USA

The BBC is just adding layers of new intolerance to what was already extreme prejudice. No chance of getting one of their blogs to publish any criticism of global warmism, the EU, the Labour Party, feminism etc, etc. And to add insult to injury, it is funded by a poll tax. This can't go on.

John Lamble, Prague, Czech Republic

PC is actually worse than what we had. It says that you are not intelligent enough to take responsibility and it therefore has been imposed. Well said Jeremy

Steve Lawson, Manchester, UK

pretty obvious that Monty Python's Flying Circus would never get to the start of the runway in today's PC climate...

paulc, Gloucester,

Lord help us from the PC brigade: in the far reaches of the Commonweath it is rampant too. Don't let the BBC lose its way.

Matt, Hamilton, NZ

I'd like to see this expanded into a TV documentary special. But please stop referring to Harry Enfield as 'funny'.

Tim, Edinburgh,

'Common sense' is too often popular ignorance. But you do have a point.

BTW the title sounds like it was dreamt up by Max Mosley.

Will, Chichester,

Jeremy, become Prime Minister - or even King of the World - then you can change all this. Go on - you know you want to!

paul, Milton Keynes,

While I agree with what you say in the article, I find your negative comment about Daleks offensive.
P.S. Loved the live show in the RDS!

Keith, Dublin, Ireland

Quite simply, I find the idea that the BBC is censuring what's it's employees can say...well, offensive...

Adrian J, Leeds,

Here on the other side of the ocean, those of us who used to proudly speak of our British heritage (even if we weren't British, but just because Canada once was) now regard Britain with a mixture of incomprehension and sympathy, a lost nanny nation where political correctness has run totally rampant

Lori, Toronto, Canada

Totally agree with you Jeremy, glad someone has the guts to say it.

Peter, London, England

'It’s now reached the point where the BBC has drawn up a new procedure to make sure no one in its employ ever says anything that could possibly offend anyone.'

How incredibly dull. Whatever happened to the Great British sense of humour?

Keep up the good work Jeremy, this country needs you

ejam, Hove,

Perhaps the BBC should endorse 'Newspeak' now; what price freedom of speech if it means offending some sensitive soul with some irreverent humour - or worse, one's own opinion! Clarkson does not have the mentality of an obstinate and pedantic sheep - what a horrifying concept in today's culture.

kathryn, aberdeen, scotland

Jezza I havn't been impressed with your rambling non auto articles up to now but this one i whole heartedly support and enjoyed reading. I totally agree with you, the western world is becoming so bland it's painful, the popularity of Top Gear demonstrates that bland is not what the public wants!

Gareth, Durham, England

the existence of special interest groups in our society can be positive, but this sort of indiscriminate submission robs us of their purpose: shame on you BBC!

Terciel Kirdef Ajasram, London, England

Single issue politics - Don't you just love it? No need to show balance!

Will, London,

The stance of the today's self-appointed "watchpuppies" is that we must be utterly tolerant of everything, as long as they approve of it. It is the other end of the book-burning spectrum.

Nick, Rotherham, UK

I'm going to hole myself up in an attic somewhere and get real cross with the BBC every time someone attacks Jeremy Clarkson.

Ed K, Chester,

Go for it Jeremy!!

Roll on the Revolution...

Anthony, Birmingham,

I think Jeremy clarkson is always spot on with what he writes.
It's always comforting to read someone who has a voice of common sense and reason. A voice for the normal person perhaps?
Keep going Jeremy, your our only hope.

Nick, Mallorca, Spain

I thought Jeremy's comments on the economy on both top gear and Radio 5 were spot on.
Personally I find other peoples offense offensive. The hypocrisy from some 'right on' people out there astounds me.
We don't have a democracy, we have a demonocracy.

AP, Bristol,

If "THEY" find Harry and Paul offensive.....what would they say about Not the Nine oclock news???????

Paul Johnson, Beaucaire, France

Jeremy is a voice of reason in this very mad world.What people think and say privately is very often so different from what they have to say publically for fear of prosecution or persecution by a small group of society. Well done Jeremy!

Joanne Williams, Wickford,

I would have agreed with JC 100% until his comments on the Radio 5 live show. Comment on Detroit, fine - his area of expertise. But mouthing off about the economy and "The End of Days" on the basis of chatting with a couple of bankers was self-indulgent and irresponsible.

Stuart Harris, Bradford-on-Avon, England

Clarkson, you normally annoy me with your self opionated views but however on this issue you are correct. One other thing, I often wonder if the columnists ever read the readers comments.

Colin , Edinburgh,

I notice that 99.999999999999999999999% of the comments on here are entirely on your side.

No censorship here of course!

Abbey, Merseyside, UK

Now the BBC wouldn't touch Dad's Army (glorifies the British Empire y'see). These groups are dangerous, not amusing; the English had a sense of the absurd; we recognised irony and pomposity; now too many of us are prissy thought police jumping on the latest eco/ism bandwagon because it feeds our ego

Ysabel Ekaterin, Mansfield, Notts

Brilliant Jeremy.

The congestion charge vote result in Manchester proves that the pro Clarkson party outvotes the tree huggers by 4:1.

Go for it. No 10 beckons.

martin Griffiths, Manchester, UK

Generally I think you're great, Jeremy. But consider - perhaps you are just promoting your old self-interests too. But you mostly have the backing of state-funded TV. It;s just a thought. I object to her comments because I'm sick of these ubiquitous presenters saying things to impress me - it don't

lou, boston, united kingdom

Happy Holidays Jeremy...
I would normally say Merry Christmas but that's now been banned over here for fear of upsetting everyone who's not a Christian.

Phil , Atlanta, USA

Excellent work, Clarkson. We've gotten so paranoid of upsetting anyone in this country, that we end up saying nothing. Keep it up, Jeremy. Sometimes I don't agree with you - so what?! So I don't agree with half of what people say, I'd rather they were free to say it, than not so.

Rupert Fotherington-Smythe, London, England

Jeremy you legend. I would have thought that you would already know that free speach is a basic human right, unless you work for the BBC and live in 'Britain'. I've had flour trown at me by VIVA for going into a restaurant, I wasn't going to have the veal but I well did after that!

Julia, Bath, Great Britain

Perhaps Jeremy ought to form a pressure group

Geoff, dudley,

Your "Did the Eastern block ever make a good car" is cult comedy. You should win the Oscars for that, even though it included subliminal clips.

Richard Sinclair-Todd, Oxford, UK

Clarkson is England's last hope...

Rusty, Reigate, England

Beyond your funny article, you make an excellent point that there are too many pressure groups all shouting out to justify their own pointless existence, trying to put a lid on the mainstream. free speech only matters when you say something someone else won't like, then is when it needs defending.

Tim, London, United Kingdom of GB and NI

Well written. So our chances of seeing something along the lines of Monty Python ever again are becoming more slim by the minute? Sad, really.

J Forstner, Ljubljana, Slovenia

fantastic article jeremy, hopefully common sence will prevail at some stage

kieran collins, perth, australia

You can express what you want, but you can't prohibit what you want. This is the basis of a free and democratic society.

David, Bradford, UK

Is Clarkson the last voice of sanity in this ruined country?

David Alexander, London, England

As Johnny Cash (almost) put it::
I keep a close watch on this tongue of mine. I keep my eyes wide open all the time. I keep the ends out for the tie that binds. Because you're censorious, I walk the line.

Sue, Felpham,

Well, just say anything you want, because that's the truth. So-called organisations must act in the wake of their problems, not just mocking anyone who played a joke. Especially some conservation groups, they didn't do anything to regrow trees, but mocking you and throwing pie into your face instead

Ivan Rijadi, Jakarta, Indonesia

Jeremy, get a hold of Stan Freberg's Old Man River skit. It was done in the late 50s and featured an on-site censor who turned the song in to "Elderly Man River" (we can't offend the older listeners) who "Doesn't Say Anything" because we must speak correctly to educate the little ones.

Rod Corby, Perth, Australia

While I agree with you on some of that, I think apologizing to an entire country is probably a good idea. It may seem silly to we people of the West, but other cultures and societies look at certain things in very different ways.

Evan, Georgia, USA

Haha, very true, Jeremy. And it's just going to keep getting worse. Damn it.

Dan, Ellesmere Port,

Jeremy Clarkson is no PM but I applaud him for defending free speech because no-one else seems to betoo interested in doing this any more.

Cate, Leeds,

Please... Please... Please.... Run for Government!
I know you don't want to be the PM, but just employ people who think like you.... we need common sense back in this country and you seem to be the only voice of reason around at the moment.

Mike Heckman, Leeds,

Please O Wise Clarkson, lead us out of the fog of confusion that is the perfidy called Political Correctness, and into the Promised Land of Common Sense!! PS You have my vote for being PM. Get on it, right now Clarkson!

CW, birmingham, UK

The legend that is Clarkson! So right, and keep the morse code messages going!

Geoff, Cardiff, UK

I'm vegetarian, I have a beard, my car is a diesel.
Keep doing Top gear segments like the Ford Fiesta review that was on this week and Jeremy, you can say whatever you want.

Harry O'Mara, Liverpool,

this is why there is a facebook group entitled "Jeremy Clarkson for Prime Minister."
brilliant
now im off to eat some weeds.

Sara, glasgow,