Nobel Prize winner, Tim Hunt, partly-apologises over sexist comments and says he was 'just being honest, actually'

The British laureate finds an unlikely fan in Katie Hopkins

(PA)

Nobel Prize winner, Tim Hunt, who caused an uproar over comments he made about female scientists has partly-apologised for his remarks, adding that he “just meant to be honest, actually”

Sir Tim Hunt – who was awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – was speaking at a conference in South Korea – hosted by female scientists – when he told the room: “Let me tell you about my trouble with girls.

“Three things happen when they are in the lab: you fall in love with them, they fall in love with you and – when you criticise them – they cry.”

The British laureate, 72, this morning told the BBC in an interview: “I did mean the part about having trouble with girls. I mean, it is true: I have fallen in love with people in the lab and people in the lad have fallen in love with me and it’s very disruptive to the science.”

He insisted it’s important for scientists to be on “a level playing field” and explained: “These emotional entanglements can make life very difficult.

“I’m really, really sorry that I caused any offence. I just meant to be honest, actually.”

Sir Tim won himself an unlikely fan after his sexist comments when outspoken and controversial columnist, Katie Hopkins, tweeted: