'Thatcher's dead' text message sparks government panic
A Canadian politician inadvertently caused a diplomatic crisis earlier this week after announcing the death of his cat via text message.
The country's Transport Minister John Baird had circulated an SMS message to a number of political friends reading: "Thatcher has died".
Canada's Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper was soon informed that the 84-year-old former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had passed away.
However, Baird was in fact been announcing the death of his beloved pet moggy, who he had named after the Iron Lady.
Nevertheless, news of Baroness Thatcher's 'passing' soon spread like wildfire at a gala event in Toronto honouring Canadian military families.
Around 1,700 shocked VIPs in attendance and their advisors reportedly huddled to discuss the news.
While Mr Harper's staff prepared a draft statement of condolences, an aide at the Canadian prime minister's office called Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street only to be told that 84-year-old was very much alive and well.
Following the embarrassing incident, the Canadian PM's spokesman Dimitri Soudas is reported to have said: "If the cat wasn't dead, I'd have killed it by now".
source
The country's Transport Minister John Baird had circulated an SMS message to a number of political friends reading: "Thatcher has died".
Canada's Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper was soon informed that the 84-year-old former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had passed away.
However, Baird was in fact been announcing the death of his beloved pet moggy, who he had named after the Iron Lady.
Nevertheless, news of Baroness Thatcher's 'passing' soon spread like wildfire at a gala event in Toronto honouring Canadian military families.
Around 1,700 shocked VIPs in attendance and their advisors reportedly huddled to discuss the news.
While Mr Harper's staff prepared a draft statement of condolences, an aide at the Canadian prime minister's office called Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street only to be told that 84-year-old was very much alive and well.
Following the embarrassing incident, the Canadian PM's spokesman Dimitri Soudas is reported to have said: "If the cat wasn't dead, I'd have killed it by now".
source
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