LONDON - A leading British union is demanding the BBC fire Jeremy Clarkson after the "Top Gear" host suggested striking public sector workers should be shot.

Clarkson is under pressure after he said that strikers participating in Britain's largest public sector walkout in 30 years should be executed in front of their families.

The BBC has issued an apology and said it has received around 4,700 complaints about Clarkson's remarks on the channel.

Unison, which represents over a million public sector workers, said Thursday that Clarkson should be fired immediately. It says it is seeking legal advice and considering referring the comments to police.

The BBC in the past has fielded complaints over irreverent quips by Clarkson, one of the hosts of the popular "Top Gear" car show.