German magazine publishes Bush obit

Germany’s respected news weekly Der Spiegel mistakenly published an obituary for former US President George H W Bush.

The unfinished obituary appeared on Der Spiegel’s website for only a few minutes today before it was spotted by Internet users and removed.

In it, the magazine’s New York correspondent Marc Pitzke describes Bush as “a colourless politician” whose image only improved when it was compared to the later presidency of his son, George W Bush.

Bush was hospitalised in Houston November 23 for treatment of a bronchitis-related cough. He was moved to intensive care on December 23 after he developed a fever.

A family spokesman says the 88-year-old former president was moved out of intensive care into a regular hospital room again on Saturday after his condition improved.

“President Bush’s condition has improved, so he has been moved from the intensive care unit to a regular patient room at The Methodist Hospital to continue his recovery," spokesman Jim McGrath said.

“The Bushes thank everyone for their prayers and good wishes.”