Media personality slammed for mocking Jacinda’s accent

SYDNEY: A leading Australian media personality faced a stinging backlash on Thursday after mocking New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern’s accent during a moving speech in parliament about the Christchurch massacre.

Ardern has been widely praised for her handling of the tragedy that saw 50 lives lost when an Australian white supremacist rampaged through two mosques.

During a speech on Tuesday she vowed never to use the name of the alleged shooter, Brenton Tarrant.

"Thank heavens NZ prime minister said she will never mention the name of the terrorist," Sam Newman, an ex-Aussie Rules football player and former co-host of the popular "Footy Show" on commercial television, tweeted on Wednesday. "How grating is her accent?"

The comment was widely condemned for its insensitivity, with more than 1,500 replies, overwhelmingly negative, on his Twitter feed.

"Significantly better than any of the wind that comes out of your regressive racist sexist neck, Sam," said one user.

Another posted: "She’s got more class that you could ever try and buy you pathetic horrible has been."

Not to be outdone, Newman hit back at the negative reaction. "Thank you so much for comments re NZ prime minister - and her accent," he tweeted.