The chief executive of Rolls-Royce has apologised for the way he came across during a BBC interview when he answered questions about thousands of job losses.
Warren East appeared on the morning BBC News programme after the company announced it was planning to cut 9,000 jobs in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
He was criticised on social media as some people thought he smirked for a few seconds while on the video call to the BBC journalist and TV presenter Victoria Derbyshire. That part of the interview was then shared onTwitter.
Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan described Mr East's conduct in the interview as "absolutely appalling" to his 7.5 million followers.
Mr East has since apologised for the way he came across.
He told Derbyshire Live: "This has been an extremely painful day for everyone at Rolls-Royce.
"Being told that there is no longer a job for them is a terrible prospect - and I hope that all those who have spoken with me know that I understand very well how distressing that is to hear, and the impact such news would have on anyone.
"During a BBC interview, I was actually caught a little off guard by the figures that were being used and looked to a colleague off-camera to see if I’d properly understood the question.
"I appreciate that didn’t come across at all well on a video call, for which I apologise.”
On Wednesday, May 20, the aerospace giant said it expected the job losses from its global workforce of 52,000 as part of a "major reorganisation" of the business to adapt to a fall in demand.
The company employs 23,300 in the UK, with more than 850 at the Harrier Business Park, Hucknall, as well as hundreds more at a smaller factory in Annesley.
Rolls-Royce said the cuts could result in £700 million in savings towards an overall aim of £1.3 billion in annual savings.
It added it would also cut spending across its plant, property and other areas to strengthen its finances.
Speaking previously, Mr East said: "This is not a crisis of our making. But it is the crisis that we face and we must deal with it.
"Our airline customers and airframe partners are having to adapt and so must we.
"Being told that there is no longer a job for you is a terrible prospect - and it is especially hard when all of us take so much pride in working for Rolls-Royce. But we must take difficult decisions to see our business through these unprecedented times."
