Top Gear cleared by watchdog over using term ‘pikey’

Watchdog Ofcom investigated the programme after former host Jeremy Clarkson was seen holding a placard with the words “Pikey’s Peak” while Richard Hammond drove a vehicle up a mountain.

A similar complaint was later lodged but not upheld as the BBC Trust’s Editorial Standards Committee (ESC) ruled the term had “evolved into common parlance among a number of people to mean “chavvy” or “cheap”.

Ofcom has cleared BBC motoring series “Top Gear” of breaching broadcasting codes after they received complains following an episode in which presenter Jeremy Clarkson held up a sign saying “Pikey’s Peak”.

In its evidence, the BBC admitted the word could be “a derogatory term” but cited online encyclopaedia Wikipedia as proof it also referred to someone who “lives on the cheap”.

“This does not mean that the use of the word “pikey” is acceptable in any programme in any context”.

However, the BBC had argued “the issue in determining whether it is offensive in any particular case is the intention behind its use, and the context in which it is used”.

The broadcasting regulator said it recognised that “some in the audience would perceive the word pikey as a derogatory term for gypsies and travellers”.

“Ofcom reminds all broadcasters that this word is capable of causing significant offence in certain contexts and therefore that they should be mindful of their obligations under the Code if the word is used in broadcast material”.

The Traveller Movement has condemned Ofcom’s decision, saying the suggestion the use of the word had no reference to Gypsies and Travellers was “bankrupt”.

“Instead of investigating our complaint in full, Ofcom has relied largely on the BBC Trust decision which, in turn, relied on Wikipedia”.

Top Gear’s repeated use of the word “pikey” has garnered attention in the past, with viewer Robert G uploading a YouTube compilation back in 2010 of several uses of the word and allusions to it on the show. The use of the “p” word’s a running gag on Top Gear.

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”. The reference to pegs and heather salesmen which we raised has been ignored.

A spokesman said they would meet with lawyers to “consider our options”.