I agree.
But consider this.
You are a producer. Your job is to keep the BBC’s biggest star happy. In your job requirements is to provide meals. You are not a cook but your job is to arrange meals.
You know said star has gone to the pub, and likely will be there for an extended period of time.
You know ( or should have known) the closing time of the kitchen and the pub.
Do you:
A) anticipate your star will want a hot meal and work on alternate plan B, C, D etc to see that he gets a hot meal?
( offer $ to keep the kitchen open, find an all night chip shop etc)
Or
B) sit there with one thumb up your ass, the other in your mouth and every 10 minutes you switch?
Now further consider you are said producer. You picked option B. Your actions (or lack thereof) resulted in the BBC losing its cash cow.
Yes they were right to fire Clarkson, but what about you?
You are the guy that killed the goose that lays the golden eggs.
What are your future prospects?
A raise?
A promotion?
I’d say your inability to handle the mission resulted in you kissing off your future career. Who is going to hire a guy who couldn’t even arrange a hot meal?
Nice job you had there Sparky.