Top Gear incurs the wrath of George Osborne and a former military commander with Cenotaph stunt
The BBC’s new Top Gear cast have caused their first major controversy, performing stunts near the Cenotaph on Whitehall.
Emulating Clarkson and co, who had a history of offensive behaviour at the helm of Top Gear, new star Matt Le Blanc can add irking a chancellor of the exchequer and a former British military commander to his CV.
George Osborne tweeted that the team, who were filming a segment for the show's upcoming series, were to keep the noise down while they span donuts near the monument.
Trying to write my Budget,despite noisy episode of @BBC_TopGear being filmed outside on Horseguards Parade. Keep it down please @achrisevans
— George Osborne (@George_Osborne) March 13, 2016
Additionally, Col Richard Kemp, told BBC Radio 5 Live that footage of the stunts not to be broadcast, as it "does not need to have people screaming around in cars and generating smoke from their tyres all over it".
In response to the backlash, with many accusing the team of disrespecting fallen soldiers, Evans “apologised unreservedly for what these images seem to portray".
Adding: “They look entirely disrespectful, which of course was not and would never be the intention of the Top Gear team, or Matt.”
Le Blanc shared some images of the filming.
Back at it this morning. @kblock43 @BBC_TopGear @TopGear_BBCA pic.twitter.com/A0zYRx8h2A
— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) March 13, 2016
Good times. pic.twitter.com/znT27ptjJb
— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) March 13, 2016
Just cruising around Parliament square with a buddy pic.twitter.com/9zy93lDdLp
— Matt LeBlanc (@Matt_LeBlanc) March 13, 2016