Ferry boss apologises for "fat" "tattooed" comments

A FERRY boss apologised after labelling Britons "quite fat and covered in tattoos".

Pim de Lange, a director of Stena Line's North Sea routes, said the company had struggled to recruit staff who were fit for the job.

The comments, made to a Dutch newspaper, come in the wake of claims that the firm was planning to hire Filipino workers on rates of 2.20 an hour.

Dutchman Mr de Lange, who claimed his remarks were taken out of context, also said it was hard to find British workers who were "young" and "fit".

In a statement, he said he regretted "any offence caused" and insisted the company was committed to maintaining a mix of British, Dutch and Filipino workers.

"I regret any offence and apologise," he said.

"I hugely value the contribution of our British and Dutch employees, along with our Filipino crew, and we will work together."