Web rallies to save banker caught out looking at topless pics during news segment

Poor David Kiely- his moment of internet fame came while he inadvertently viewed some racy pics during a financial news segment.

Kiely became the unwitting star of a viral video when an otherwise boring as a coma stocks-type news segment featured the poor dude reading an e-mail with some pics of Miranda Kerr attached. As soon as the man views the images, he turns around and realizes that the ogling has been caught on live TV. The whole of the internet pointed and laughed at the guy after the segment aired on Tuesday in Australia (which is like Monday here or something) but since the video went viral, there have been rumblings of a set up.

In what may be kind of a huge dick move, it’s said that a colleague of Kiely’s sent an email with the pics attached and an addendum to “turn around” or something to that effect- exactly what the video appears to depict. A viral story is what threatens Kiely’s job and possible future prospects- could a viral campaign save him? British site Here is the City is urging readers to e-mail Kiely’s employers and ask them not to sack the fellow for what may have been a very douchey practical joke. They make a concise, straightforward case on the matter, asking readers to email mediaquery@macquarie.com and let the company know “we love David.”

Anyway, we are now officially starting a campaign to get the client investment manager back to work, because:

1. He seems like a nice bloke

2. The pics weren’t hardcore

3. He has suffered enough

4. There’s just too much political correctness in this world anyway

Mainstream news outlets like the BBC and Reuters have picked up on the campaign, so hopefully Kiely won’t be sacked even if he wasn’t the victim of a prank and just wanted to see boobs. (Although some people think you should feel worse for his “female co-workers.” I would like to take this opportunity, as a female, to say that many of us would never wish to deny men the opportunity to view titty pics whenever the chance presents itself. “Never turn down a chance to sleep, have sex, be on TV or look at boobs,” Gore Vidal would have said if he were straight.)

At least one person is benefiting from the sudden attention, though- Google searches for Miranda Kerr were up 100% after the video became popular.