BBC outrage as editor caught making offensive remarks about Leicester helicopter crash
Dan Roan has been forced to issue an apology after he was filmed telling a colleague that Thai beauty queen Nusara Suknamai was Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha’s mistress.
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 he shouldn’t judge.”
Microphones picked up Mr Roan’s comments while the BBC man was standing alongside the Leicester City memorial.
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Both Srivaddhanaprabha and Suknamai were on board the helicopter when it crash-landed soon after taking off from King Power Stadium.
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The BBC presenter’s outburst sparked outrage on Twitter with calls for him to be sacked.
One twitter user said: “What an absolute scumbag that Dan Roan is. Making comments like that at a memorial whilst being recorded as well.
“BBC need to give him the boot now… but they will probs just sweep it under the carpet, they’re good at that!”
Another added: “I’m not surprised about Dan Roan. I hope the BBC throw the book at him, but I very much doubt it.”
And another blasted: “Has the BBC sacked Dan Roan for his disgraceful comments about the Leicester City owner and his personal assistant tragically killed following Saturdays game.
“It appears the BBC tolerate any hate filled comment. Totally insensitive and just plain unnecessary.”
Mr Roan later apologised on Twitter, saying: “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 spokesperson said: “This was an ill judged comment made in a private off air conversation for which Dan has apologised.”
Ms Suknamai, a pilot hailed as a hero, his co-pilot girlfriend and a member of Leicester City’s staff were alongside Thai billionaire Mr Vichai, 60, when the eight-seater chopper exploded in a fireball outside Leicester’s King Power Stadium just after 8.30pm on Saturday.
Pilot Eric Swaffer, 53, and girlfriend Izabela Roza Lechowicz, 46, were among the dead, with the couple said to be living an "aviation love story" by travelling the world.
Nusara Suknamai, 33, a runner-up in Miss Thailand Universe in 2005 and a member of Mr Vichai's staff, also died when the helicopter exploded into flames at Leicester City's car park.
Another staff member, Kaveporn Punpare, nicknamed Golf, was the fifth reported victim of the crash which has stunned the 2016 Premier League champions.
Prime Minister Theresa May offered her condolences to all the victims' families after the "tragic crash".
Nusara Suknamai
Culled from Express
My view: I don't think he should be sacked, but his remarks was out of order, totally insensitive and unnecessary, he shouldn't have said it. He was disrespectful to his family and fans, adding more misery to his grieving widow and the painful process of grief she's going through.