Jeremy Clarkson in foul-mouthed Twitter rant against Liverpool paper

Jeremy Clarkson has launched a foul-mouthed Twitter rant against a Liverpool paper after it attacked him for apparently criticising the city.

Clarkson accused Liverpool Echo journalists of being “ftards” after they attacked comments he had made in his Sunday Times column.

His column at first praised Liverpool, saying that – in contrast to previous incidents he had experienced in the city – a recent visit had been “very agreeable”: “There was a lot of postmodern urban-chic architecture and many museums, hotels and waterfront cafes. It looked really good. I liked it.”

However, he then went on to complain about the service in his hotel, adding: “Ordering [the rosé wine] Whispering Angel in Liverpool is like a Liverpudlian strolling into the Savoy at teatime, in a shell suit, and demanding seven pints of vodka. He’s going to be shown the door. And I should have been shown the door too.”

He then went on to discuss the north-south divide, saying: “Closer to home we have soft-living, champagne-soaked southerners imagining that they know what’s best for northern cities such as Liverpool. ‘My dear fellow, why don’t you simply give up heroin and start a book club? Because if you don’t, we’ll cut your benefits.’

“We go up there and say, ‘Look what we’ve given you, Gary: a Tracey Emin hotel and slavery museum, all full of Ed Miliband bumper-sticker slogans. Aren’t you grateful?’ But Gary isn’t grateful because he doesn’t like Primrose Hill sensibilities and bloody mood lighting.”

He added: “The north of England has never been more different from the south of England.

“People up there earn less, die more quickly, have fewer jobs and live in houses that are worth the square root of sod all.”

On Monday, Liverpool’s mayor, Joe Anderson, waded into the fray, defending his city as BBC executives arrived for the BBC Worldwide Showcase 2015: “It is amazing that the BBC chose, after a warm reception last year, to come back again this year for the showcase. Yet in contrast to that, this buffoon – Mr Clarkson – has made these comments and the BBC continue to have him on their payroll.”

Anderson said he was due to meet BBC England director Peter Salmon and would raise the matter with him. “I will say to him that the city is glad to be of assistance to the BBC but I find it remarkable that with one hand they are offering friendship and are delighted to be partners with us, yet at the same time one of their employees, who is paid literally millions of pounds, is allowed to make derogatory comments about our city.”

He added: “The things he is saying are trying to stigmatise the city and I think the BBC needs to ask questions, especially when he was in the city on a stay that was presumably being paid for by them.

“I’m not sure many people in Liverpool will lose much sleep if he doesn’t visit again.”

The Echo published an article on Sunday afternoon, claiming Clarkson had “insulted Liverpool” in his “damning account”.

It published a gallery featuring responses from readers including “How about Liverpool writes an account of having to put up with him for a visit?” and “He’s a fake southerner. The comments he’s come out with are as dated as his double denims.”

In addition to his tweet attacking the Echo, Clarkson retweeted followers’ supportive messages: