BBC coverage of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee has come under fire after a commentator and friend of the Royal family used the term 'Micks' while referring to the soldiers from the Irish Guards.
The TV coverage of events to mark 70 years since Queen Elizabeth's coronation featured shots of the Trooping the Colour ceremony at Buckingham Palace.
As members of the Irish Guards took part in the pageantry, BBC presenter Huw Edwards spoke with former Irish Guards officer Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton about the regiment of the British Army that was founded in 1900 by Queen Victoria.
Describing the display, Mr Lowther-Pinkerton, who is godfather to third-in-line to the throne Prince George, said it was a "great Mick cocktail".
Continuing to use the term, which has a history of being a derogatory term for Irish people, the ex-soldier said of his former regiment: "The Micks have this fantastic mix of guards' discipline and pursuit of excellence, with that Irish 'irrational tenth' if I can quote Lawrence of Arabia, which makes it the best regiment on the planet."
Responding, Huw Edwards said: "I should as well explain...you said a few minutes ago Jamie that the Irish Guards were affectionately known as the Micks, and some people watching at home might think, well that's not altogether a nice term, but it's worth underlining that's what you Irish Guards call yourselves."
Mr Lowther-Pinkerton added: "Actually, it's been a nickname for so long that any connotations that may or may not have been have worn off."
The year is 2022… and a BBC presenter and someone from the British Army are explaining why “micks” actually isn’t an offensive term for Irish people… ??? pic.twitter.com/OZpfwOmAAP
— Joe Dwyer (@JoeEDwyer) June 2, 2022
Footage of the commentary was shared by Sinn Féin activist Joe Dwyer on social media, where users hit out at the use of the derogatory term, which also features on the British Army website, where it says the Irish Guards are "known affectionately throughout the Army as 'The Micks'", and have the "privilege of guarding the Royal Family".
Mr Dwyer wrote in a post with the clip: "The year is 2022…and a BBC presenter and someone from the British Army are explaining why 'Micks' actually isn’t an offensive term for Irish people…"
Among those responding was Irish News columnist Patricia MacBride, who tweeted: "Good grief! The explanation seems to be that’s what the Irish guards call themselves so it’s not offensive. Black people using the N word to/about one another is not offensive but it sure as hell is when it’s used in a derogatory manner by others. Same applies to 'Mick'."
Victims campaigner Andrée Murphy of Relatives for Justice, tweeted: "'Micks'…. And some of us were accused of being anti-British when we questioned the nature of the system…"
Co Tyrone poet Maureen Boyle added in a post that the use of the term in the coverage was "testing my staying power".
The Irish News contacted the BBC for a response.