AN Ayrshire MP has hit back at claims from a gypsy support group that he is a racist.

Brian Donohoe - who has long campaigned to have travellers 'moved on' from illegal sites across the region - this week defended his comments after saying travellers are terrorising the people of South Ayrshire.

In a shock statement the Central Ayrshire member: - Accused them of trashing people"s property - Described them as 'complete anarcists' - Labelled travellers a 'threat to the community'.

Illegal camps set up by travelling communities have posed problems across South Ayrshire for a number of years. Camps have caused fury among locals in recent months after appearing overnight at a variety of spots in Prestwick, Girvan and Ayr.

His comments prompted fury from English based Friend Families and Travellers, a support group fighting for the rights of travelling people across the UK.

Director Chris Whitwell said: 'I think to label a whole community with these comments is racist. If this sort of remark was made about another minority such as black or Indian people then the MP involved would likely find himself in a great deal of trouble.

'There are ways to deal with any criminal issues and that is through the police and it is sad that it still seems to be acceptable to encourage this type of sterotypical image of the gypsy and travelling community.' But Mr Donohoe hit back, saying: 'To say what I"ve said is racist is absolute nonsense. These people aren"t a race to begin with so how can it be racism?

'There is no organisation or structure to these groups and if Mr Whitwell can put me in touch with someone north of the border who I can speak with then I"d be delighted. He should really be aware of the situation up here before he starts talking about something he knows nothing about.' Mr Donohoe claimed: 'Travellers are terrorising our area. Yet I"ve been told by the Scottish Government that the only way in which to move these people on would be with a change in the law.

'Both North and South Ayrshire Council, who have worked closely with me on this campaign, are powerless to deal with these people. This is an outrage.

'I accept that some travellers are peaceful people and don"t arrive in an area just to trash other peoples property but it seems that most of the travellers in Ayrshire seem to want to - and something must be done.

'How can this group of people be referred to as a "community" when not one representative has agreed to meet with me? They are complete anarchists.' Mr Donohoe brought the campaign to the House of Commons during a debate - calling for a review of the law.

He said: 'When I came to this House I had a romantic view of travelling people, I believed that the gypsy population was made up of good God-fearing people who listened to and understood the law, and who carried out their duties within it.

'Over the time that I have been a Member of Parliament my opinion has been substantially eroded. These people have become a threat to the community, and the powers that be seem powerless to intervene effectively.'