Police officer Mark Luker fired for ‘offensive’ texts about Traveller community | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTed HennesseySunday 22 February 2026 08:30 GMTOrlando Bloom says 'p*key' during live Radio 1 interviewDetective Constable Mark Luker of the British Transport Police has been dismissed for gross misconduct.The officer used derogatory terms, including “p*key”, in WhatsApp messages when referring to Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller people.He also made comments linking the community to theft, which the panel deemed deliberate and discriminatory.Luker claimed that the language was a coping mechanism after being a first responder to the 2017 London Bridge terror attack and that he did not intend to cause offence.Despite accepting he was not 'inherently racist', the misconduct panel concluded that Luker likely knew the language was “offensive” to a minority community.In fullLondon Bridge attack hero sacked by police for using ‘p*key’ slurThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in