George Bush Sr Mistakenly Announces Nelson Mandela’s Death

Mr Bush, 89, sent condolences which were picked up by an American newswire, BNO. It was then flashed up by CNN.

Jim McGrath, spokesman for Mr Bush, sent out an email entitled: “Statement by President George H. W. Bush on the death of Nelson Mandela.”

He wrote on behalf of the former president: “”Barbara and I mourn the passing of one of the greatest believers in freedom we have had the privilege to know.

“As President, I watched in wonder as Nelson Mandela had the remarkable capacity to forgive his jailers following 26 years of wrongful imprisonment – setting a powerful example of redemption and grace for us all. He was a man of tremendous moral courage, who changed the course of history in his country. Barbara and I had great respect for President Mandela, and send our condolences to his family and countrymen.”

But Mr McGrath tweeted and emailed a statement that the earlier comments were based on a flash from the Washington Post.

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