A BBC sports editor has apologized after he was caught saying the beauty queen who died in the Leicester helicopter crash was a mistress of football club owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Dan Roan’s remarks were picked up by microphones outside the King Power Stadium, where flowers and candles were laid in tribute to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
Mr Roan was overheard saying: “The mistress who died in the crash…otherwise known as a member of staff…i.e. mistress.
“If you were a billionaire, it’s relatively expected, so we shouldn’t judge.”
The recording which was later posted on social media, sparked an outrage among football fans. Some accused him of being “disrespectful” and “thoughtless”, while another said: “Don’t come anywhere near my football club again.”
Dan Roan, who has been a BBC News’ sports editor since 2014, has apologized stating that he meant “absolutely no offence” by the comments.
He wrote on Twitter: “Just want to say sorry for some comments made in a private, off-air conversation earlier with a colleague. Absolutely no offence intended.”
A BBC spokesman said: “This was an ill-judged comment made in a private off-air conversation for which Dan has apologized.”
Vinchai Srivaddhanaprabha was killed along with two staff members, the pilot and a passenger in the Leicester helicopter crash.
The aircraft fell from the sky and burst into flames outside the King Power Stadium after developing problem. The incident occurred at about 8.30pm on Saturday.
The four other victims were employees: former beauty queen, Nursara Suknamai and Kaveporn Punpare; The pilot Eric Swaffer and his partner Izabela Roza Lechowicz, who was also a professional pilot.
Pilot Eric Swaffer is believed to have saved the lives of hundreds of fans by steering the doomed aircraft away from vulnerable fans on the ground.