Daley hits out at Twitter troll (From Western Telegraph)

Daley hits out at Twitter troll

7:50am Tuesday 31st July 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Police are investigating after a Twitter troll accused Team GB diver Tom Daley of letting down his late father.

Daley and his partner Pete Waterfield missed out on a medal on Monday when they finished fourth in the men's synchronised 10m platform diving event at the Olympics.

Shortly afterwards, Daley retweeted a message from user Rileyy69 which said: "You let your dad down i hope you know that." Daley responded by tweeting: "After giving it my all...you get idiot's sending me this..."

Daley's father Rob died last year from brain cancer. Speaking before the Olympics, Daley revealed his father "gave me all the inspiration that I've needed".

The 18-year-old told the BBC: "Winning a medal would make all the struggles that I've had worthwhile. It's been my dream since a very young age to compete at an Olympics. I'm doing it for myself and my dad. It was both our dreams from a very young age.

"I always wanted to do it and Dad was so supportive of everything. It would make it extra special to do it for him."

When news of the insensitive tweet spread, Rileyy69 attempted to apologise. He tweeted: "@TomDaley1994 I'm sorry mate i just wanted you to win cause its the olympics I'm just annoyed we didn't win I'm sorry tom accept my apology."

He later added: "please i don't want to be hated I'm just sorry you didn't win i was rooting for you pal to do britain all proud just so upset."

Dorset Police confirmed it was investigating the incident. A spokeswoman said: "Regarding tweets to @tomdaley1994 - we are aware of the issue and we are actively looking into it."

Deputy Mayor of the Olympic Village Duncan Goodhew, a gold and bronze medallist in swimming at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, described the behaviour of the Twitter troll as "appalling".