UK minister apologises for misnaming soccer star Rashford, citing Harry Potter confusion

June 17, 2020 21:19 IST

Marcus Rashford

IMAGE: Marcus Rashford has already helped to raise around 20 million pounds with charity Fareshare UK to supply meals to struggling families. Photograph: Lee Smith/Reuters

Health minister Matt Hancock apologised on Wednesday to England soccer player Marcus Rashford for getting his name wrong, suggesting that confusion with the star of the Harry Potter films was behind the slip-up.

Hancock referred to a 'Daniel' Rashford in an interview earlier in the day as he paid tribute to the Manchester United footballer for his campaigning on food vouchers for struggling families which had prompted a change in government policy.

"Last night... I was reading my son Harry Potter, and it was clearly still stuck in my mind at 7 o'clock this morning when I started out on the TV," Hancock said in parliament, an apparent reference to Daniel Radcliffe, who plays the eponymous hero in the film series.

"We all make errors sometimes. I apologise to Marcus for getting his name wrong on one occasion. I have no possible reason for having made that mistake."

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