James May claims Pride has been 'hijacked' after sparking row with rant about the amount of rainbow flag bunting on display being 'authoritarian'

James May has accused Pride of being 'hijacked' after sparking a social media row by calling the amount of LGBTQ+ rainbow bunting 'authoritarian'.

The ex-Top Gear host, 61, insisted his view was based simply on disliking swathes of decorations covering London's streets - adding that it is 'healthy' that people are talking about it during Pride Month.

It comes after the Amazon star sparked fury when he slammed the event's flags as 'oppressive' - even suggesting that World War Two started with 'Too Much Bunting'.

He also spoke out to back-up pal Jeremy Clarkson's attack on Surrey Police after one of their officers mowed down a cow on a residential street in Feltham, West London on Friday in an exclusive chat with MailOnline.

Talking as he enjoyed a cigarette and a cup of tea after a 'lovely' lunch of egg and chips, Mr May said: 'I don't think it's been hijacked - no, I do actually. I think it's been commercialised. 

'But I don't think that's a secret - I think a lot of LBGT people potentially would agree with that. 

'But that really wasn't the point of my tweet. I was just saying I don't like a lot of bunting. I think a lot of people don't.'

Pride events have repeatedly been criticised for losing their focus on human rights - with gay rights activist Peter Tatchell slamming the parade in London for being 'too corporate and commercial' on the 50th anniversary of Britain's first march.

Last week Mr May's post attracted thousands of comments and likes, with some saying they were 'confused' by the point he was trying to make, while others said: 'I do agree, less is more when it comes to hanging stuff over streets'. 

He shared the post alongside an image of Pride flag bunting that had been hung along Regent Street in central London, although it is unclear whether this was a photograph from this year's celebrations or not.  

Many criticised his remarks, with some saying they were 'confused' by the point he was trying to make. 

One person wrote: 'I hope you're not insinuating that somehow the LGBTQ+ community is somehow in danger of starting WW3 because of some rainbow flags James?'

But May stood firm in his stance and said: 'I'm not, no. Stand down'.

Another commentor said: 'Respectfully, comparing the LGBT community to Nazis is very offensive. Very disappointed, James.'

But May refuted the claim that he was comparing the LGBT community to the Nazis and responded with: 'I haven't done, though, have I?'

But, speaking near his home in Hammersmith, London, the Man Lab star continued: 'A lot of people say that tweeting about it has brought out a lot of homophobes, and there is a bit of that, but I think the haters - as they say online - the haters are gonna hate. 

'So if I'd have said: 'Hey Pride is great! I think they should have more flags!' - whatever I'd said they would have come out. 

'I had quite a nice exchange with India Willoughby - the point is that people are talking about it, which is healthy. 

'One or two people have said you shouldn't talk about it if you're not going to be positive but it wouldn't make any difference. You can't say - well let's not talk about it then - because the whole reason that the Pride Month goes on is so we talk about it, which I think is very healthy. I don't see that it can do any harm.'

Mr May also took the opportunity to back up his colleague Jeremy Clarkson - after the intrepid farmer slammed Surrey Police for mowing down an escaped calf with their patrol car in horrifying footage.

The animal, called Beau Lucy, was tossed 30ft when she was hit by a 4x4 into in Feltham, West London, on Friday.

Taking to social media on Sunday, Clarkson raged: 'I will vote for any party which stops the police from running over cows.'

And his once-warring colleague stood behind his stance - although he admitted the motoring journalist had a 'vested interest' because he keeps cattle.

Mr May said:  'I agree with him on the cow, actually. Generally the police should avoid running over people and animals as a general rule - but Jeremy obviously has a vested interest as he owns cows.

'I’ve never thought of cows as dangerous. Because there used to be cows in a field near where I stayed - I used to go over in the field and they used to come over to me and try to lick my face. 

'I’ve never thought that cows are a threat. I mean they trample on things but they’re not tigers or dangerous dogs, they’re just f*****g cows! They’re pretty useless really.'

Beau Lucy is now recuperating back home, with her owner telling Channel 5 News she is 'sulky and bruised' but otherwise in a 'remarkable condition' despite her ordeal. 

But yesterday, a farmer and union chief claimed police were 'probably right' to ram into the escape calf.

Hugh Broom, National Farmers' Union's South East livestock chairman, said although the footage looked 'horrendous', officers probably 'did the right thing at the time'.

The 10-month-old cow suffered grazes and a large cut on her leg when she was mowed down.

The disturbing footage sparked widespread anger and Surrey Police later announced that the officer who was behind the wheel has been removed from frontline duties pending an investigation.

Mr Broom told BBC Radio Surrey: 'While the whole thing looks horrendous, and it is for everyone, they probably did the right thing at the time.

'The other option is you shoot the animal. In that environment would you want to be using a rifle in a built-up area on a dark Friday night?'

Mr Broom added: 'God forbid it had gone the other way and the animal ran off and bumped into someone, sent a child flying, sent any person flying, [which is] perfectly possible, and they were seriously injured or worse.

'People would be saying: 'Why wasn't the animal stopped?'

But despite Mr Broom trying to justify the incident, Beau Lucy's owner has raised fears of the cow becoming infertile.

The calf was earmarked from birth as a 'breeding cow' - sparing her a one-way trip to an abattoir in favour of a life spent life grazing lush meadows with generations of her own calves.

Cows usually start giving birth at around two to three years old and continue to do so for around a decade.

Now friends of the farmer worry that the stress of the attack may have left her unable to reproduce - leaving him with no humane way of making back the investment in her feed and care if Surrey Police fail to pay compensation.

If Beau Lucy's injuries mean she cannot give birth, the owner will have wasted thousands of pounds on her at a time when many farmers are struggling to make ends meet.