3 May 2021

Brownlee wants action over India oxygen cylinder tweet

From Morning Report, 7:27 am on 3 May 2021

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has apologised to the Indian Government over a social media post asking for an oxygen cylinder. 

The High Commission based in New Delhi sent out a now deleted tweet asking the Indian Youth Congress - the youth wing of the opposition party - for urgent assistance sourcing the cylinder. 

The Prime Minister says it was a local High Commission worker who tweeted a plea for oxygen cylinders after a staff member fell sick.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade told Stuff the original tweet was issued in error.

"It has since been withdrawn and we have apologised, including to the Indian government, for the misunderstanding it may have caused."

National Party foreign affairs spokesperson Gerry Brownlee said there should be disciplinary measures taken immediately against the person who sent the tweet.

He spoke to Corin Dann.