Top Gear Burma episode breached Ofcom rules over Jeremy Clarkson's racial slur

The regulator decided the comment, made by the controversial star during the programme's Burma special screened in March, was offensive.

During a scene in which the presenters were involved in the construction of a makeshift bridge over the River Kwai, viewers saw an Asian man walking on the bamboo crossing, while Clarkson declared: “That is a proud moment - but there is a slope on it.”

Two viewers were concerned that the word “slope” was an offensive racist term.

Top Gear producer Andy Wilman said: “We were not aware at the time, and it has subsequently been brought to our attention, that the word 'slope' is considered by some to be offensive and although it might not be widely recognised in the UK, we appreciate that it can be considered offensive to some here and overseas, for example in Australia and the USA.

“If we had known that at the time we would not have broadcast the word in this context and regret any offence caused.”

An Ofcom spokesperson said: “After a thorough investigation, Ofcom has found the BBC breached broadcasting rules by including an offensive racial term in Top Gear, which was not justified by context.

"Jeremy Clarkson used the word 'slope' to refer both to an Asian man crossing a bridge, and the incline of the bridge.

“This was scripted in advance. The BBC failed to take the opportunity, either during filming or post-production, to check whether the word had the potential to offend viewers.“

Following the ruling the BBC said: “We dealt with this matter some time ago, the programme apologised at the time and explained the context, and we are now focussing on delivering another series of one of Britain's best loved shows.”

Top Gear was embroiled in another controversy just three months ago after Clarkson was caught up in an N-word racism row.

Clarkson was called a racist after he was accused of using the word “n****r” in an unaired episode of Top Gear.

In the unseen footage, which was released by The Mirror, Clarkson appears to mumble the word while reciting a derogatory nursery rhyme.

Following calls for him to be sacked, the presenter published a film in which he apologised for any offence he had caused.

In the film, he admits that it appeared that he had used the word despite doing “everything in my power” not to.

“My efforts obviously weren't quite good enough,” he said.

He later revealed he was on a final warning from the BBC.

Originally published on Independent.co.uk

Additional reporting by Press Association