21/10/2013

The Sun Apologise Over Madeleine McCann Joke Tweet

The Sun has issued an apology following severe criticism it received over a tweet posted on Saturday night by its Sun Showbiz account joking about the disappearance of Madeleine McCann

During an episode of the X Factor a tweet appeared regarding a contest, favourite Tamera Foster, making reference to recent reports that she had been caught shop lifting. The tweet read: "Forget make up, the only way Tamera's gonna lose this is if she admits to stealing Maddie."

The tweet was subsequently deleted and the paper issued an apology to Kate and Gerry McCann.

The apology read: "We would like to say sorry for a tweet that was sent out earlier," the publisher tweeted via @TheSun_Showbiz at 10.18pm, almost 15 minutes after the X Factor had finished. "It was an inappropriate attempt to make a joke, and we got it wrong."

It is understood that a freelance journalist was responsible for the tweet, and that some form of disciplinary action has been taken.

(MH/CD)

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