North Yorkshire police have spoken to potential witnesses to the fracas that cost Jeremy Clarkson his job at the BBC, saying they “have a duty to investigate” what happened.
The force also said it had contacted Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon through his lawyer “to ask him to speak to us so we can ascertain how he wishes to pursue this matter”.
Its move follows North Yorkshire police’s request on Wednesday for a copy of the BBC report that found Clarkson had been responsible for an “unprovoked physical and verbal attack” on Tymon.
In a statement, the force said it had been contacted by “concerned members of the public” asking what action it was taking.
It said: “No one who was present at the hotel during the incident came forward to report an offence to the police. Nonetheless, we have a duty to investigate where we believe an offence might have been committed, and that is what we have been doing with this case.
“We have already spoken to some people who were in the hotel at the time, but there are still others we need to speak to, who could help us to determine exactly what happened.
“Also, as is usual in these circumstances, we have made contact with Mr Tymon through his lawyers, to ask him to speak to us so we can ascertain how he wishes to pursue this matter.
“When these routine inquiries are completed, we will be able to assess whether or not further action needs to be taken from a police perspective.
“Meanwhile, we’d like to reassure the public that the matter is in hand, and we dealing with it responsibly and proportionately.”
BBC director general Tony Hall said on Wednesday that he had decided not to renew Clarkson’s contract, adding the presenter had “crossed a line”.
An internal inquiry overseen by BBC Scotland boss Ken MacQuarrie concluded that Tymon was struck by Clarkson during an unprovoked 30-second physical attack “resulting in swelling and bleeding to his lip”.
The report said Tymon, who was subjected to a sustained verbal abuse by the presenter, was left “shocked and distressed by the incident” and “drove to a nearby A&E department for examination”.
Hall said Clarkson had crossed a line by subjecting an “innocent party [to] a physical altercation accompanied by sustained and prolonged verbal abuse of an extreme nature”.
Clarkson faces an uncertain future as reports suggest that the former Top Gear host’s co-stars may leave the show alongside him.
The star did not stop to answer reporters’ questions when he left his home on Thursday afternoon, but when asked what he would like to say to fans who may be upset about him leaving the show said: “Everybody’s upset.”
Returning to his home shortly after 3.30pm, Clarkson refused to answer when asked if he was worried about being arrested.
Instead, he said: “All I would like to say is ... I wish people would leave [Oisin] alone because none of this was his fault.”
Hall has made it clear he wants the programme to continue but co-host James May said he was considering his position and Richard Hammond declared it the “end to an era”.
