Top Gear: Outrage over 'gravely disrespectful' Cenotaph stunt

Top Gear producers faced a backlash for a "gravely disrespectful" stunt in which Matt Le Blanc performed "donuts" near the Cenotaph in Whitehall.

Yesterday's filming was criticised as being in "bad taste" after photos emerged of smoke billowing from a Ford Mustang's tyres by the memorial.

But show bosses claimed the photographs were misleading.

Former British military commander Colonel Richard Kemp told the Telegraph: "This is a sacred tribute to millions of people who have done far more for their country than Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc ever will."

He added: "Jeremy Clarkson was certainly no saint but I don't believe he would have ever performed a stunt in such bad taste."

But a spokesman for Top Gear, which is due to air in May, said photographs taken by paparazzi made it look like the filming took place closer than it did in reality.

He said all scenes were shot around 40 metres away from the memorial.

He said: "The filming took place a respectful distance away from the cenotaph and it was all agreed with Westminster Council in advance."

Earlier on Sunday Chancellor George Osborne scolded Le Blanc's fellow host Chris Evans for making a racket near Downing Street and distracting him from writing the Budget.

He tweeted: "Trying to write my Budget, despite noisy episode of @BBC-TopGear being filmed outside on Horseguards Parade. Keep it down please @achrisevans."

The Budget is due to be delivered on Wednesday.

And on Saturday Top Gear host Matt LeBlanc and professional rally driver Ken Block surprised a bride and groom and their wedding guests at St Paul's Cathedral as they motored past, with the former Friends star sticking his arm out of the car window to wave.

A seven-strong line-up for the new series of the motoring show includes LeBlanc, Evans, and Top Gear stalwart The Stig.

Also on board are Formula 1 commentator Eddie Jordan, German racing driver Sabine Schmitz, motoring journalist Chris Harris and car reviewer Rory Reid.