Formula One supremo Ecclestone turned his recent mugging into advertising by showing off his black eye in a newspaper advert for a Swiss watchmaker - but has infuriated a group dedicated to supporting victims of crime.
Ecclestone suffered a head injury after being mugged in central London, his attackers making off with jewellery including his watch, prompting the advert.
"See what people will do for a Hublot," declared the strapline under a photograph of the bruised 80-year-old billionaire in publicity in the Financial Times and International Herald Tribune.
The Swiss watchmaker, part of the French luxury group LVMH, said in a statement that Ecclestone had sent the picture to chief executive Jean-Claude Biver with the remark after he was assaulted in London on November 25.
"Since the two have a certain sense of humour, they agreed to make an advert," said Hublot, who are Formula One's official watchmakers.
However, the advert has been attacked by Victim Support, despite Ecclestone giving his consent for the image to be used and insisting it was a "protestation against violence that we are all afraid of today".
"Everyone reacts differently to crime,” a Victim Support spokesman told the BBC. "Although it appears Bernie Ecclestone can make light of the incident and get on with his life, for many victims of mugging the impact can be devastating, leaving them fearful to leave the house and unable to move on.
"Hublot is a luxury brand which seems to be making light of crime in order to sell a product, and this advert could be seen as insensitive to victims who are not in a similar position to Bernie."
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/08122010/ ... sault.html==============================================
Good luck with their effort. This man knows no moral boundaries.
Le coeur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point. 
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