Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Rachel Hagan

New Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi deletes insensitive Tweet about ex-PM shooting

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."

New Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi tweeted Shinzo Abe was dead before official confirmation (twitter.com/nadhimzahawi)

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."

Britain's newly appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi arrives at the Treasury (AFP via Getty Images)

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.

Former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe lies on the ground after being shot (via REUTERS)

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.

Mr Abe was attacked at a campaign event in the Nara region (AFP via Getty Images)

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."

Security police tackle a suspect who is believed to have shot the former PM (The Asahi Shimbun via Getty Imag)

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.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.