Richard Branson apologizes for making naked invitation to B.C. Premier Clark

VICTORIA - British billionaire Richard Branson has apologized to B.C. Premier Christy Clark for inviting her to join him for a naked kitesurfing adventure.

Branson met Clark last week after the inaugural fight of his Virgin Atlantic airline from London to Vancouver.

Later, he issued an invitation on his blog that included a photo of a naked model riding on his back while kitesurfing.

Clark said she found the offer disrespectful, and Branson has taken to Twitter to issue an apology, saying the invitation was a joke and no offence was meant.

Clark said this is a case of a lighthearted joke backfiring, but she accepts the apology.

"Lighthearted jokes often have a place, but I don't think that this was appropriate," she said. "Of course, I accept his apology."

She originally turned down the kitesurfing offer with a joke of her own, saying if the invitation is Branson's best pick-up line, there may be a reason the name of his company Virgin.

Note to readers: This is a corrected version, a previous story said Branson and Clark met this week.