Former 'Top Gear' presenter Jeremy Clarkson has issued an apology to Irish producer Oisin Tymon.

A settlement of stg£100,000 (€126,622) for racial discrimination and personal injury has also been reached.

Mr Tymon was attacked in a row over food at a North Yorkshire hotel last March, which resulted in Mr Clarkson losing his job.

Mr Tymon drove himself to hospital after the incident, and told police at the time he did not want to press charges.

The BBC said Mr Tymon suffered swelling and bleeding to his lip in the altercation.

Clarkson reportedly called his colleague a "lazy, Irish c***" during the confrontation.

Mr Clarkson reported the March 4th incident to the BBC five days later, and was suspended by the broadcaster on March 10th.

It was subsequently announced that his contract would not be renewed. Mr Tymon then sued the presenter and the BBC for racial discrimination.

"None of this was in any way his fault"

Mr Tymon's lawyers, Slater & Gordon, said the case had been settled.

In an apology issued through the law firm, Clarkson said he was "sorry, once again" and was "pleased" the matter was resolved.

He said: "I would like to say sorry, once again, to Oisin Tymon for the incident and its regrettable aftermath".

"I want to reiterate that none of this was in any way his fault. I would also like to make it clear that the abuse he has suffered since the incident is unwarranted and I am sorry too that he has had to go through that".

"I am pleased that this matter is now resolved. Oisin was always a creatively exciting part of Top Gear and I wish him every success with his future projects".

The firm did not disclose details of the settlement, but it is thought to be in excess of stg£100,000.

Both Clarkson and the BBC contributed.

Clarkson's co-presenters Richard Hammond and James May chose to leave the programme and the trio are now making a new motoring programme for Amazon Prime.

Earlier this month, the BBC announced the full new Top Gear line-up.

Chris Evans and The Stig will be joined by motorsport guru and Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan, German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, motoring journalist Chris Harris, car reviewer Rory Reid and Friends actor Matt LeBlanc.