Audio glitch makes New Zealand minister David Clark sound like he's sworn live on air

Ellena Cruse14 May 2020

New Zealand's health minister sounded as though he had sworn live on air after an accidental audio glitch during a Covid-19 press briefing.

David Clark was updating the nation on the coronavirus pandemic when a technical error saw his pronunciation of the word "countries" get cut in half.

The error was only seen on the Radio NZ Livestream, with other news providers airing the full sentence as it was said.

He was heard saying: "Around the world, we have seen the virus spread at funerals, as well as a second wave of infection taking hold just as c***s were getting on top of the virus."

Earlier in the lockdown, Dr Clark was demoted by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for breaking lockdown rules twice.

An audio error was responsible for David Clark's pronunciation
Getty Images

He drove his family 12 miles from their home to the beach in the early stages of lockdown and also previously admitted driving to a park near his home to go mountain biking.

The health minister said at the time he had let New Zealanders down at a time when the government was asking the country to make historic sacrifices by staying at home.

“I’ve been an idiot, and I understand why people will be angry with me,” he said in a statement.

Ms Adern said she would sack Dr Clark - who is not a medical doctor but has degrees in theology and philosophy - under normal circumstances, but said the country could not afford massive disruption in its health sector while it was fighting the Covid-19 strain. ​

He was stripped of his finance minister portfolio and demoted to bottom level cabinet.

New Zealand has now eased lockdown restrictions as it enters the third day without any new coronavirus cases.

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