New South Wales MP Fred Nile has recanted an earlier statement that Sydney siege gunman Man Monis was the "only man" inside the Lindt café, claiming he "misspoke."
The leader of the Christian Democratic Party made the comments on Channel 7’s Sunrise program this morning after saying in a radio interview on Tuesday that the hostages who fled should not receive bravery awards.
“Usually men try to protect the women and it seems that the men were saving their own skin and leaving the women there,” he on Sunrise.
“Where were the men?”
"The only man there was the man with the gun."
Following the interview, which prompted a backlash online, Mr Nile tweeted that he had made a slip:
Tony Abbott this week contacted Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove to request Mr Johnson and Ms Dawson receive posthumous bravery awards, and others involved considered for recognition.
"I respectfully ask for your support in ensuring the (Bravery Decorations) Council gives proper consideration to the actions of those involved in this tragic event," Mr Abbott wrote.
"There may well be other significant acts by surviving hostages, police and others involved that are worthy of recognition".
"Obviously they were wanting to escape and save their lives, but normally bravery awards are given for an act of bravery, that somebody actually does something, and they haven't done anything,” he said of those who fled.
"But I think the awards, as Tony Abbott suggested, for the two hostages that died, I think they certainly should be given the awards."
Today's comments, in response to those earlier, generated further outrage on Twitter:
What do you think of Mr Nile's comments about men, women and bravery? Tweet @SBSNews
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