This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

The tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has apologised to a Briton who helped to rescue a group of boys and their football coach from a cave in Thailand last week, after calling him a “pedo” on Twitter.

Vernon Unsworth had said he was considering legal action and was “astonished and very angry” about the slur.

Musk this week deleted the offending tweet, which was made after Unsworth questioned the usefulness of a mini-submarine Musk was offering to help the rescue. He also deleted a subsequent comment in which he said: “Bet ya a signed dollar it’s true.”

On Wednesday, Musk issued an apology to Unsworth in a reply to another Twitter user. He said: “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.”

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

Elon Musk (@elonmusk) Nonetheless, his actions against me do not justify my actions against him, and for that I apologize to Mr. Unsworth and to the companies I represent as leader. The fault is mine and mine alone.

Unsworth told Reuters he was aware of Musk’s apology but refused to comment about a possible settlement or legal action.

Play Video 0:36 Elon Musk posts footage of 'mini-sub' made to assist Thai cave rescue

Unsworth had earlier told journalists at the cave site, where a clean-up operation is under way, that Musk’s remarks about him were an attack on the entire rescue crew. “I believe he’s called me a paedophile,” he said. “I think people realise what sort of guy [Musk] is.”

Asked if he would consider taking legal action against Musk, he told reporters: “Yes, it’s not finished.”