New Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has been slammed for an insensitive gaffe as he took to Twitter to declare ex-Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe dead following a gun attack, despite no official confirmation.
The tweet has now been taken down but Twitter users were quick to slap down his dangerous claim, branding the politician as "embarrassing."
Japan's longest-serving Prime Minister Mr Abe, 67, is still fighting for his life following a brutal gun attack and has not been announced dead.
Mr Zahawi wrote: "Heartbreaking news from Japan. PM Shinzo Abe has died after being shot by an attacker. We enter politics to serve and try and make the world a better place, a good man has lost his life in pursuit of that noble aim. May he rest in eternal peace."
Not only is the tweet inaccurate about the death, but Zahawi also called Mr Abe the Prime Minister, not the former Prime Minister.
One enraged user wrote: "You are embarrassing yourself (and your colleagues in the UK cabinet). Wait for official Japanese announcements before you tweet something like this."
Another said: "Maybe let Japan break this news, not you? Japan still saying he’s fighting for his life."
Mr Abe is in a "grave condition" after being shot twice in the chest from behind by a gunman in a horrifying assassination attempt.
Two shots were heard on Thursday before Mr Abe fell to the ground while giving a public speech ahead of the national election.
Public broadcaster NHK said a man armed with a supposed homemade gun opened fire at him from behind, from a distance of about three metres, leaving him with an open wound to the neck.
Witnesses said that Mr Abe remained standing after the first shot and then collapsed to the ground after the second.
Other reports say he was shot in the chest and neck.
Tokyo's Current Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Mr Abe is in a "severe condition" after being fired at and has asked all members of the cabinet to return to Tokyo.
Just three days into his new senior government position, Zahawi's tweet has caused offence.
Another horrified user said: "I've had so much respect for you in the past but a quick scan of the Reuters site mentions nothing of his death, on what basis have you reported it? The actions of the Conservatives this week have made me doubt you all."
While one member of the public instructed Zahawi to "exercise due discretion during such perilous time."
Mr Zahawi was appointed Chancellor, taking over from Rishi Sunak when he resigned.
Just over a day after his new appointment, Mr Zahawi called for Prime Minister Boris Johnson to resign.
Britain's finance ministry said Zahawi had made a genuine mistake and was expressing his reaction to a horrific incident.
