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| Fifth Column |
| Idiot in the band is more worried about elephants |
| 2001-10-28 |
LEE RYAN from Blue has made an astonishing outburst saying the attacks on New York have been âblown out of proportion.â The stupid boy â there is no other expression for him â told The Sun that instead of feeling sorry for New Yorkers we should be worrying about WHALES and ELEPHANTS. As his horrified mates from Britainâs top boy band tried to shut him up, Lee insisted on speaking out. The 18-year-old, who actually WITNESSED the September 11 tragedy, said during a visit to The Sunâs HQ: âWho gives a f about New York when elephants are being killed? Animals need saving and thatâs more important. This New York thing is being blown out of proportion ... Iâm not afraid to say this, it has to be said and thatâs why Iâm the outspoken one from the band.â Lee and the rest of Blue â Duncan James, Antony Costa and Simon Webbe â were filming a video in New York at the time of the World Trade Center atrocities. His outburst came as fellow band members recalled their horror at the tragedy. They were doing a webchat for The Sun when he made his shocking remarks. We started by asking Blue what they saw in New York. ANTONY: We saw the second plane crash into the tower and then the building crumble. THE SUN: You witnessed all that? That must have been scary. SIMON: Of course it was scary, it would be. Itâs the biggest day of terrorism in history. LEE: What about whales? (Everyone paused and looked at him, confused) They are ignoring animals that are more important. Animals need saving and thatâs more important. This New York thing is being blown out of proportion SIMON: Shut up, Lee THE SUN: Thatâs a bit out of order, donât you think? LEE: Who gives a f about New York when elephants are being killed? DUNCAN: Shut up LEE: Iâm not afraid to say this, it has to be said and thatâs why Iâm the outspoken one from the band.â Later it dawned on Lee how stupid his comments had been and he feared losing his job. A pal said: âHe feels awful and is very worried.â Lee last night apologised and pledged to donate his share of profits from If You Come Back to our Twin Towers Fund. He said: âI am deeply sorry for what I have said and apologise unreservedly to everyone affected by the tragedy of September 11. I was trying to express my concerns for other issues close to my heart but I realise now I did so in a very foolish and offensive way. I will donate my royalties from our next single to the Twin Towers Fund. I hope this small gesture will go some way to showing that I really am very sorry.â |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |