Last updated at 23:18 06 January 2008

When CDs containing the banking details of seven million Britons went missing late last year, Jeremy Clarkson insisted it was a storm in a teacup.

To prove no one would be able to access money by using the records, the outspoken broadcaster and columnist published his own bank details.

Now, however, the Top Gear host has ended up with egg on his face - after one entrepreneurial thief removed £500 from his account.

The fraudster set up a direct debit using Clarkson's bank account details and paid the money to the British Diabetic Association, one of many organisations which do not require a signature to set up a direct debit.

Writing in his newspaper column, Clarkson, 47, said: "Back in November, the Government lost two computer discs containing half the population's bank details.

"Everyone worked themselves into a right old lather about the mistake but I argued we should all calm down because the details in question are to be found on every cheque we hand out every day to every Tom, Dick and cash and carry.

"To hammer the point home I even printed my own bank account number and sort code.

"And guess what? I opened my bank statement this morning to find out that someone has set up a direct debit which automatically takes £500 from my account.

"The bank cannot find out who did this because of the Data Protection Act and they cannot stop it from happening again.

"I was wrong and I have been punished for my mistake."

Clarkson threw down the gauntlet in November after HM Revenue and Customs lost two data discs containing the personal details of 25million Britons.

The information included the bank details of seven million claiming child benefit.

The discs went astray after they were posted from an office in Newcastle to London.

The Metropolitan Police had 32 detectives attempting to track them down, but to no avail.

At the time Clarkson wrote in his column: "I have never known such a palaver about nothing. The fact is we happily hand over cheques to all sorts of unsavoury people all day long without a moment's thought. We have nothing to fear."

To prove his point he printed his account number, sort code and the bank branch where his account was held.

He also gave instructions on how to find his address on the electoral roll and details about the car he drives.

After the scale of his blunder became apparent, a chastened Clarkson wrote: "Contrary to what I said at the time, we must go after the idiots who lost the discs and stick cocktail sticks in their eyes until they beg for mercy."

Last week it emerged that more than 28,000 people have signed a petition on the Downing Street website calling for Clarkson to be made prime minister.