‘Idiot’: Zali Steggall’s ex-husband and his new wife launch an extraordinary public attack on the former Olympian as she prepares to battle Tony Abbott for his blue-ribbon seat
- Zali Steggall has been slammed by her ex-husband and his wife ahead of election
- David Cameron and Bridie Nolan accused Ms Steggall of being ‘opportunistic’
- The comments relate to a tweet she wrote during the Christchurch terror attack
Independent candidate Zali Steggall has been slammed by her ex-husband and his new wife in an extraordinary attack.
Ms Steggall, a champion skier, has been accused of ‘political point scoring’ and being ‘opportunistic’ by the couple.
Olympic rowing champion David Cameron, who has two children with Ms Steggall but is now married to barrister Bridie Nolan, labelled his ex-wife an ‘idiot’.
Ms Nolan told The Daily Telegraph she was ‘appalled’ at Ms Steggall’s tweeted comments during the Christchurch terror attack on March 15.
Warringah independent candidate Zali Steggall (pictured right with Liberal MP Tony Abbott) has been slammed by her ex-husband and his new wife ahead of the next federal election
In the tweet, which has now been deleted, Ms Steggall said: ‘There were so many positive things to share until the news of the terrorist attack in Christchurch hit. Such a start and horrific reminder of where extreme ideology hate and divisive speech leads. We have to do better. My deepest condolences to the families. #warringahvotes #auspol.’
Ms Steggall, an independent candidate for Warringah, was accused of politicisng the horrific attack, in which 50 people lost their lives and another 50 were injured.
Ms Nolan claimed her husband’s ex-wife used the incident to raise her profile ahead of the federal election in which she will go up against former Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the seat of Warringah.
‘Both my husband and I were appalled that Zali considered it appropriate to tweet in an opportunistic fashion not once, but twice about the Christchurch tragedy, in the manner and tone in which she did, Ms Nolan said.
A follow-up tweet by Ms Steggall later attacked Tony Abbott and his ‘far right cohort’.
Following the tweets, Ms Steggall copped a barrage of criticism on social media from both Mr Cameron and Ms Nolan.
‘What sort of opportunistic person puts a promotional hashtag in a tweet intended for the condolences of a grieving nation? Idiot,’ Mr Cameron wrote at the time.
Olympic rowing champion David Cameron (left) and his wife Bridie Nolan (right) have launched a scathing attack on Ms Steggall, labeling the aspiring politician as ‘opportunistic’
While Ms Nolan tweeted: ‘You are showing you do not have what it takes. Withdraw now before you embarrass your family further.
‘This and your tweet from Friday really are disgraceful,’ the message stated.
Ms Steggall first came to prominence when she became the first Australian to win an individual medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics, before becoming a schoolteacher.
Ms Nolan (pictured) said she was ‘appalled’ at the comments Ms Steggall tweeted during the Christchurch terror attack on March 15
After retiring as a teacher, she used her experience as a professional athlete to become a barrister, specialising in corporate and sports law in 2002.
Daily Mail Australia reached out to Ms Steggall, who declined to comment on Mr Cameron and Ms Nolan’s comments.