Traveller groups in the UK and Ireland have criticised a decision by Britain's TV watchdog, Ofcom, which cleared Top Gear of breaching broadcasting rules over the use of the word "pikey".
A group representing travellers complained after a scene was broadcast showing the show's former host Jeremy Clarkson holding a placard with the words "Pikey's Peak" while Richard Hammond drove a car up a mountain.
An Ofcom spokesman said: "We found that, while some in the audience would perceive the word "pikey" as a derogatory term for gypsies and travellers, on balance there was sufficient context in the way the word was used to minimise offence".
In its evidence, the BBC admitted the word could be "a derogatory term" but cited Wikipedia as proof that it also referred to someone who "lives on the cheap".
A spokesperson for the Traveller Movement, which campaigns for the rights of Irish travellers in the UK, said they were appalled at the ruling and called it a "victory for racist bullies".
They said that the decision "that this particular use has no reference to Gypsies and Travellers is bankrupt...The Top Gear presenters told them that they didn't mean it to be racist and Ofcom have taken them at their word".
Martin Collins,Co-Director of the Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre in Dublin, said:
"Needless to say, we are disappointed with this outcome. We are also very shocked. Most people recognise that the term “pikey” is used to insult gypsies and travellers, and is highly offensive and racist in all contexts.
"There have been complaints made about Big Fat Gypsy Wedding and similar shows and I'm not aware of any that have been upheld. This raises a lot of questions about Ofcom."
