Update: PM dismisses national day of action as "damp squib"
The Prime Minister dismissed the biggest national walk-out since the 1970s as a “damp squib”, even though the majority of schools across the UK were shut, services were disrupted and demonstrations took place across the country.
His statement at Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday came only hours before Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, appearing on the BBC's The One Show, caused outrage by suggesting that public sector workers should be shot dead in front of their families.
When asked during an interview what he would do with strikers, Clarkson replied: "I would have them all shot. I would take them outside and execute them in front of their families. I mean how dare they go on strike when they have these gilt-edged pensions that are going to be guaranteed, while the rest of us have to work for a living."
While some members of the audience laughed, presenters Matt Baker and Alex Jones looked embarrassed and the BBC apologised at the end of show, saying that Clarkson's humour sometimes overshot the mark.
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