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Elon Musk apologises for branding Thai cave rescuer Vern Unsworth a 'pedo'

<em>Apology – Elon Musk has apologised for calling Vern Unsworth a ‘pedo guy’ in a tweet (Picture: Reuters)</em>
Apology – Elon Musk has apologised for calling Vern Unsworth a ‘pedo guy’ in a tweet (Picture: Reuters)

Elon Musk has apologised for calling a British expat who helped rescue 12 boys trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand a “pedo guy”.

The billionaire said his words were “spoken in anger” in response to comments made by Vern Unsworth but admitted they were unjustified.

In several Tweets, the Tesla founder and and chief executive apologised for his earlier posts – which were later deleted.

Responding to a Twitter user who had shared an article about the dispute, saying: “As this well-written article suggests, my words were spoken in anger after Mr Unsworth said several untruths & suggested I engage in a sexual act with the mini-sub, which had been built as an act of kindness & according to specifications from the dive team leader.

“Nonetheless, his actions against me do not justify my actions against him, and for that I apologise to Mr Unsworth and to the companies I represent as leader. The fault is mine and mine alone.”

The apology comes after Tesla shared dropped and Musk was threatened with legal action over the comment.

The row started when Mr Unsworth branded Musk’s offers to help with the rescue of the football team and their coach – which successfully took place last week – a “PR stunt”.

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The British expat said Musk’s miniature submarine had “absolutely no chance of working” in the narrow cave network.

In response, Musk sent a series of tweets in which he referred to Mr Unsworth as a “pedo guy”, adding: “Bet ya a signed dollar it’s true”.

<em>Row – the row broke out when Vern Unsworth said Elon Musk’s offers of help using a miniature submarine were a ‘PR stunt’ (Picture: Reuters)</em>
Row – the row broke out when Vern Unsworth said Elon Musk’s offers of help using a miniature submarine were a ‘PR stunt’ (Picture: Reuters)

The tweets sparked outrage and Mr Unsworth said he would consider taking legal action against the billionaire.

But Musk has now responded and in his latest series of tweets added: “I am truly sorry if I offended anyone.”