<p>Australia's Resources Minister Gary Gray today apologised for 'wrongly' telling a gathering that South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela had died.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Gray expressed his apologies to South Africa's envoy for the goof-up, AAP news agency <br />reported.<br /><br />"I apologise unreservedly and am deeply sorry to have relayed what I thought was reliable advice," he said.<br /><br />Gray made the mistake last night when addressing the Minerals Council of Australia's annual official dinner in place of ousted Prime Minister Julia Gillard.<br /><br />Gray said he had relayed his apology to the high commissioner.<br /><br />Gray's comments came after rumours of Mandela's death circulated on Twitter.<br />The 94-year-old former South African President was hospitalised with a recurring lung infection, three weeks ago</p>
<p>Australia's Resources Minister Gary Gray today apologised for 'wrongly' telling a gathering that South Africa's anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela had died.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Gray expressed his apologies to South Africa's envoy for the goof-up, AAP news agency <br />reported.<br /><br />"I apologise unreservedly and am deeply sorry to have relayed what I thought was reliable advice," he said.<br /><br />Gray made the mistake last night when addressing the Minerals Council of Australia's annual official dinner in place of ousted Prime Minister Julia Gillard.<br /><br />Gray said he had relayed his apology to the high commissioner.<br /><br />Gray's comments came after rumours of Mandela's death circulated on Twitter.<br />The 94-year-old former South African President was hospitalised with a recurring lung infection, three weeks ago</p>