Racist Ryanair passenger who abused a black woman has denied being a racist and apologized

The Ryanair passenger who was seen in a viral video verbally abusing a black woman has denied being a racist this morning.

David Mesher, 70, called 77-year-old Delsie Gayle an "ugly black bit**" while on a plane in Barcelona. He continued to abuse her until her seat was changed and other passengers called for him to be taken off the plane but that didn't happen (read here).

Mesher has today denied being racist. He also apologised for the outburst on the Stansted-bound flight.

He told Good Morning Britain: 

I'm not a racist person by any means and it was just a fit of bad temper at the time.

He said he lost his temper when Mrs Gayle seemed reluctant to get up when he needed to reach the window seat. 

I said I’ve got to get to the window seat and there didn’t seem to be any response. And then I asked her again, I said I have to get to the window seat and she didn’t seem to want to get up..or she didn’t seem to ...then I probably lost my temper a bit and I ordered her to get up.'

Addressing Mrs Gayle, he said:

I apologise for all the distress you've had there and since.

Mrs Gayle appeared on the show with daughter Carol and when asked if she accepted the apology, she responded, "I don't think so".

She added:

You must forget and forgive but it's going to take a long time. I was so depressed all I've been doing just crying i cant sleep.

Carol added: 

He wouldn't say words like that if he wasn't racist.

Below is a letter Ryanair wrote to Mrs Gayle following the incident.