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Jackson Twitter not me - Miliband | Jackson Twitter not me - Miliband |
(20 minutes later) | |
David Miliband has been forced to deny being the author of a Twitter message paying tribute to Michael Jackson. | David Miliband has been forced to deny being the author of a Twitter message paying tribute to Michael Jackson. |
Some media organisations published a tweet which they said was by the foreign secretary but which was later revealed as a spoof. | Some media organisations published a tweet which they said was by the foreign secretary but which was later revealed as a spoof. |
The fake message said: "Never has one soared so high and yet dived so low. RIP Michael." | The fake message said: "Never has one soared so high and yet dived so low. RIP Michael." |
Mr Miliband has now issued his own, genuine, tribute to Jackson on the Foreign Office website. | Mr Miliband has now issued his own, genuine, tribute to Jackson on the Foreign Office website. |
He says: "The death of Michael Jackson is very sad news for his family, friends and fans. | He says: "The death of Michael Jackson is very sad news for his family, friends and fans. |
"My thoughts are with his family at this time. But the instant Twitter put out in my name last night was not me." | "My thoughts are with his family at this time. But the instant Twitter put out in my name last night was not me." |
Spoof tweets | |
The fake tweet was published at about midnight on Thursday, shortly after the singer's death was confirmed. | The fake tweet was published at about midnight on Thursday, shortly after the singer's death was confirmed. |
David Miliband does NOT have a Twitter account Foreign Office statement Brown 'saddened' by Jackson death | |
It was picked up by several media organisations, prompting the Foreign Office to put a message on its own Twitter page urging people to disregard it. | It was picked up by several media organisations, prompting the Foreign Office to put a message on its own Twitter page urging people to disregard it. |
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office tweet says: "David Miliband does NOT have a Twitter account." | The Foreign and Commonwealth Office tweet says: "David Miliband does NOT have a Twitter account." |
The spoof David Miliband has 1,990 followers on Twitter, although his tweets are clearly satirical in tone. | The spoof David Miliband has 1,990 followers on Twitter, although his tweets are clearly satirical in tone. |
One says: "Another idea from Eyebrows, sack all the drivers and use McDonalds staff instead. He reckons Reagan would have done it. No Al!" | |
Another tweet says: "Off to consult further with our International Partners re: Resolution 1718. Fire up the private jet and put the lawyers on expenses." | |
The fake Miliband account is one of a number of twitter pages set up in someone else's name, some of which have been closed down after threats of legal action. | |
Brown tribute | |
Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Conservative leader David Cameron have both issued brief statements on Jackson's death. | |
No 10 said Mr Brown's thoughts were with the pop legend's family at this difficult time. | |
"This is very sad news for the millions of Michael Jackson fans in Britain and around the world," a spokesman said. | "This is very sad news for the millions of Michael Jackson fans in Britain and around the world," a spokesman said. |
Mr Cameron said: "I know Michael Jackson's fans in Britain and around the world will be sad today. | Mr Cameron said: "I know Michael Jackson's fans in Britain and around the world will be sad today. |
"Despite the controversies, he was a legendary entertainer. | "Despite the controversies, he was a legendary entertainer. |
"Everybody will be thinking of his family, especially his children, at this time." | "Everybody will be thinking of his family, especially his children, at this time." |
Paramedics were called to Jackson's Los Angeles home at about midday on Thursday after he stopped breathing. | Paramedics were called to Jackson's Los Angeles home at about midday on Thursday after he stopped breathing. |
He was pronounced dead two hours later at the UCLA medical centre. Jackson's brother, Jermaine, said he was believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest. | He was pronounced dead two hours later at the UCLA medical centre. Jackson's brother, Jermaine, said he was believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest. |
Jackson, who had a history of health problems, had been due to stage a series of comeback concerts in the UK, beginning on 13 July. | Jackson, who had a history of health problems, had been due to stage a series of comeback concerts in the UK, beginning on 13 July. |