Spike Lee apologises for Twitter mistake

Movie director Spike Lee has apologised over a mistake on Twitter that saw him identify an elderly couple’s home as the address of the man who shot teenager Trayvon Martin.

The director has been one of many campaigners attempting to draw attention to the shooting of the teenager by neighbourhood watch captain George Zimmerman, which has inflamed racial tensions in the US.

Earlier this week he caused a stir when he retweeted an address he believed belonged to Zimmerman.

[Related story: 'Neighbourhood Watch' posters pulled after Trayvon Martin shooting]

The place was actually the address of the elderly McClain couple, who were forced to flee their home for fear of reprisal attacks. The blunder happened because the couple have a son called William George Zimmerman, who is no relation to the man involved in the case.

Now Spike Lee has apologised for his actions via Twitter:

"I Deeply Apologize To The McClain Family For Retweeting Their Address.It Was A Mistake.Please Leave The McClain's In Peace.Justice In Court" (sic)

The couple’s attorney Matt Morgan revealed that the couple have been offered compensation following the Twitter mix-up.

He said: "At this point in time, we have come to an agreement with Spike Lee and his attorneys, and at this point, the matter is fully resolved. Spike has agreed to compensate the McClains for their loss and for the disruption into their lives. He's taken full responsibility."

Elaine McClain added that Spike Lee had called to apologise following the Twitter incident: "He was really kind. And when he called us, you could just tell he really felt bad about it. And it was just a slip, and I just know that he really, really has been concerned."