Clarkson PM insult 'unforgivable'

Jeremy Clarkson also accused the prime minister of lying to the public

Scottish politicians have reacted angrily to comments made by Top Gear's Jeremy Clarkson about Gordon Brown.

Speaking to journalists in Sydney, the presenter reportedly called the prime minister a "one-eyed Scottish idiot".

Gordon Banks, Labour MP for Ochil and South Perthshire, said the remark was "unforgivable". Scottish Labour leader Iain Gray also criticised Clarkson.

Mr Brown lost the sight in one eye after an accident as a teenager. Number 10 and the BBC declined to comment.

Clarkson is in Australia to host Top Gear Live, a stage version of the hit BBC show.

'Lying'

The controversial presenter compared Mr Brown to Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, shortly after Mr Rudd had addressed the country on the severity of the global financial crisis.

According to The Australian newspaper, Clarkson said: "He [Rudd] genuinely looked terrified. The poor man, he's actually seen the books.

"[In the UK] we've got this one-eyed Scottish idiot.

Such a comment is really a reflection on Jeremy Clarkson Iain GrayScottish Labour leader

"He keeps telling us everything's fine and he's saved the world and we know he's lying, but he's smooth at telling us."

The comments provoked anger in Scotland.

Mr Gray said: "Such a comment is really a reflection on Jeremy Clarkson and speaks for itself.

"Most people here are proud that the prime minister is a Scot and believe him to be the right person to get the UK through this global economic crisis."

In November, more than 1,800 people complained to the BBC after Clarkson made a joke on Top Gear about lorry drivers killing sex workers.

The joke followed the conviction of forklift truck driver Steve Wright for the murders of five prostitutes in Ipswich.

Some 340 people also complained to regulator Ofcom, but it later ruled the joke did not breach the broadcasting code.