Clarkson hit by meringue at degree ceremony
Jeremy Clarkson, the controversial Top Gear presenter and newspaper columnist, was hit in the face by a "banana meringue" at his degree ceremony last week.
He was awarded an honorary degree by Oxford Brookes University for his "passion for engineering", but that wasn't popular with everyone – particularly environmentalists and those in favour of reducing car use. A spokesman for Transport 2000 told the Guardian back in June that Mr Clarkson was "dangerous" and his views "disastrous".
His assailant was revealed by the Sunday Times yesterday to be Rebecca Lush, an environmentalist and anti-roads campaigner who has previously hit Ann Widdecombe, Alistair Darling and the US under-secretary for global affairs with a variety of food products.
She said she "wanted to draw attention to the cause of climate change and the environment", rather than seek publicity for herself. Directing the pie at him wasn't easy, either. "He's a bloody huge guy, 6ft 4in. Hitting him in the face was like playing basketball."
Ms Lush probably wasn't the only one who wanted to "pie" Mr Clarkson. He had earlier joked that he "fully expected to be...covered in flour and eggs, like a giant human pancake".
Over 3,100 people signed an online petition against him being awarded the degree, including staff and students at Oxford Brookes, but only around 20 turned out for a peaceful demonstration against his award.
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