Jeremy Clarkson, the polarizing host of the BBC’s Top Gear program, was let go in light of a physical and verbal assault on a member of the popular show’s production staff.

Jeremy Clarkson Fired

The BBC announced Wednesday that Clarkson’s contract would not be renewed following what has been called an “unprovoked physical attack” on Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon. Clarkson had been suspended for the incident since March 10.

An internal investigation into the matter revealed that the fight ensued when no hot food was provided at a Yorkshire hotel after a day of filming. The brawl resulted in Tymon, who did not retaliate, suffering an injury to his lip that led him to pay a visit to a local hospital. In addition to the physical abuse, Clarkson verbally abused Tymon for a significant period of time.

BBC’s director general Tony Hall explained the decision to fire Clarkson in a statement. “For me a line has been crossed,” he said. “There cannot be one rule for one and one rule for another dictated by either rank, or public relations and commercial considerations.”

Hall added, “This decision should in no way detract from the extraordinary contribution that Jeremy Clarkson has made to the BBC. I have always personally been a great fan of his work and Top Gear.”

As for Tymon, who never filed a formal complaint, he stated his gratitude to the BBC for handling the incident quickly and expressed his sorrow that Clarkson’s tenure on Top Gear was coming to an end in such a way.

“I’ve worked on Top Gear for almost a decade, a program I love,” Tymon said. “Over that time Jeremy and I had a positive and successful working relationship, making some landmark projects together. He is a unique talent and I am well aware that many will be sorry his involvement in the show should end in this way.”

North Yorkshire police are now looking into the incident, which could mean legal trouble for Clarkson.