(CNN) British rescuer Vern Unsworth says he is considering legal action against US billionaire Elon Musk after he made an unfounded and disparaging claim he was a "pedo", or pedophile, in a now-deleted tweet.

Musk, the CEO of several high-profile American tech companies, broadcast the claim to his 22 million social media followers on Sunday after Unsworth criticized a miniature submarine he made.

Asked by a Nine Network reporter if he was going to take legal action again Musk, Unsworth replied: "Yes, yes, it's not finished."

"I believe he's called me a pedophile. Well, (if) by definition rescuing 12 young boys...that puts everybody in the same context."

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