Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson has watered down his apology for calling Prime Minister Gordon Brown a "one-eyed Scottish idiot" - saying he was not sorry for "the idiot bit".

Speaking to The Sun, in which the presenter who lives in Chipping Norton writes a weekly column, he said: "I very specifically apologised for making fun of his personal appearance - very specifically.

"I have nothing against the Scottish and of course I regret making any remark that might have upset the disabled.

"But the idiot bit - there is no chance I'll apologise for that."

Disability groups and politicians reacted with outrage to the BBC presenter's remarks, which he made in Australia.

In a statement issued through BBC Worldwide, Clarkson said: "In the heat of the moment I made a remark about the Prime Minister's personal appearance for which, upon reflection, I apologise."

The broadcaster also said it would be taking no further action against Clarkson.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) welcomed the apology.

But politicians north of the border called on the outspoken presenter to say sorry for employing the term "Scottish" in his attack.

Clarkson made the controversial comments at a press conference in Sydney, where he is on tour with Top Gear Live, a stage version of the hit TV show.