Businessman Elon Musk has revived a dispute with a hero British diver he branded a "paedo".

The Tesla and SpaceX boss has claimed it is "strange" Vernon Unsworth has not sued him after he made the unsubstantiated comment against the 63-year-old.

In reply to another Twitter user, Mr Musk posted: "You don't think it's strange he hasn't sued me? He was offered free legal services."

You don’t think it’s strange he hasn’t sued me? He was offered free legal services. And you call yourself @yoda … — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 28, 2018

Mr Musk added to the same individual who had raised the issue: "Did you investigate at all? I'm guessing answer is no. Why?"

The row between Mr Musk and Mr Unsworth erupted last month during efforts to save 12 boys and their football coach trapped for days in a cave system in Thailand.


Cave diver's anger at Elon Musk tweet

Mr Unsworth, a financial broker from St Albans, Hertfordshire, who now lives in Thailand, was the first foreign rescuer at the scene and played a crucial role in the rescue.

He has spent years exploring the Tham Luang caves and was able to provide expert knowledge, as well as being the first to alert cave divers in the UK to the emergency.

Image: The billionaire is CEO of Tesla and SpaceX

Mr Unsworth angered Mr Musk by dismissing the billionaire's suggestion of recovering the trapped group using a miniature submarine he had devised as a "PR stunt".

The South African-born entrepreneur then branded Mr Unsworth a "pedo [sic]" in a tweet he later deleted.

Mr Unsworth said he was considering taking legal action after Mr Musk made the unfounded allegation, prior to the businessman issuing an apology to both Mr Unsworth and the companies he leads.

In response to Mr Musk's decision to revisit the controversy with his latest tweets, Mr Unsworth told Sky News he could not comment but added: "It's all being dealt with, that's all I can say."

Image: Mr Unsworth was honoured at 10 Downing Street

After the successful rescue of the Thai boys, Mr Unsworth was honoured at 10 Downing Street by Prime Minister Theresa May alongside members of the British Cave Rescue Council.

One Thai diver died in the rescue, which made headlines around the world.

Mr Musk's tweeting also got him into trouble this month when investors launched legal action after he announced on the social media site he planned to take Tesla private.

US regulators have launched a probe into Mr Musk's comments, according to reports.

Sky News has contacted both Tesla and SpaceX for comment on Mr Musk's latest remarks about Mr Unsworth.