Jeremy Clarkson Faces New Storm Over £28 Steak as He Rallies Farmers in Fiery Westminster Speech

Television personality and farmer Jeremy Clarkson has once again found himself in the center of controversy — this time over the pricing at his new Cotswolds pub, The Farmer’s Dog, and his outspoken criticism of Labour’s farming policies.

The 64-year-old opened the establishment earlier this year in Aal, near Burford, promising to serve only British produce sourced from local farms. The pub, which is expected to feature in the upcoming fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm, quickly became a talking point — not just for its rustic charm but also for its bold pricing.

£28 Steak Sparks Heated Debate

The latest uproar began when the pub’s Instagram page promoted a new special: “Diddly Squat-reared fillet steak with fresh carrots, mash, and local black cabbage — all for £28.”

While some followers praised the dish’s presentation and locally sourced ingredients, others balked at the price tag.

One critic commented, “Didn’t realize half a carrot and one bit of leafy greens cost that much!” Another added, “Where’s the rest of it?”

Supporters, however, rushed to Clarkson’s defense. “A pub near us sells local fillet steak at £45 — £28 is a bargain,” one wrote. Another chimed in, “Very reasonable when you know exactly where the beef came from.”

Clarkson himself previously admitted that running the pub has been a financial struggle, confessing on opening day that he was losing about £10 per customer due to rising costs.

From Pub Controversy to Political Firestorm

The steak saga comes amid a turbulent few weeks for Clarkson, who recently took aim at Labour’s autumn budget, accusing the government of making life “nigh on impossible” for British farmers.

In a fiery column for The Sun, Clarkson alleged,

“Starmer and Reeves have a sinister plan — they want to carpet-bomb our farmland with new towns for immigrants and Net Zero wind farms. But before they can do that, they have to ethnically cleanse the countryside of farmers.”

Despite recovering from a recent heart operation, Clarkson defied medical advice to attend the farmers’ protest in Westminster on October 19, where he delivered a passionate speech before a crowd of angry rural workers.

Clarkson’s Westminster Speech: “We’re Just Trying to Make Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner”

Taking to the stage — visibly weary but determined — Clarkson addressed the struggles of farmers across Britain:

“I used to think farmers drove Range Rovers, moaned till February, then went skiing,” he joked. “But now I know how unbelievably difficult and cold it is — even when you’re harvesting.”

He went on to list the staggering costs farmers face:

“A medium-sized tractor — £200,000. A combine — half a million. Fertilizer taxed at 50%. Pickup trucks reclassified as company cars with a 211% tax rise. The budget gave us a knee in the nuts.”

At one point, the Clarkson’s Farm star — speaking through waves of applause — quipped that he was “off my tits on codeine and paracetamol” after his surgery, but continued nonetheless.

He ended with a plea to the government:

“For the sake of every farmer paralyzed by despair, I beg the government to be big enough to admit this was rushed through, accept it’s a mistake, and back down.”

Political Reaction and Tory Support

New Conservative leader Katy Buck told GB News that she had spoken to Clarkson before the protest, calling it “a good meeting.”

“He wanted to know what the Conservatives were doing about Labour’s tax changes. I explained that while we can’t reverse it, we can hold them to account,” Buck said.

Her comments came as Clarkson’s impassioned address went viral online, with clips shared widely by farmers and supporters praising him as “the voice of rural Britain.”

Back at the Farm

As controversy brews over his pub’s pricing and political stance, Clarkson remains committed to both his television work and his fight for farmers.

With the fourth season of Clarkson’s Farm expected to focus heavily on The Farmer’s Dog and his ongoing battles with regulations, fans can expect more raw honesty — and no shortage of drama — from the outspoken broadcaster.

For now, the man who turned from car critic to countryside crusader shows no signs of slowing down. As he told the cheering crowd in Westminster:

“We’re not asking for handouts — just the chance to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner.”