DAVID CAMEROON DEFENDS SELF

David Cameron defends selfie with Barack Obama and Danish PM at Nelson Mandela memorial

DAVID Cameron has today laughed off the controversial selfie taken at Nelson

David Cameron has defended himself over a selfie taken at the Mandela memorial with Barack Obama [MAIN - PA & TOP LEFT - EPA & BOTTOM RIGHT - AP]

An image of the Prime Minister, Barack Obama and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt – who is married to former Labour leader Neil Kinnock’s son Stephen - went viral on the social networking site yesterday.

Users of Twitter blasted the trio for the picture, with some calling it "moronic" and lacking "class".

Today, the Conservative leader defended himself, saying: “Perhaps in my defence, you should always remember that the television cameras are always on.

"But in my defence I would say that Nelson Mandela played an extraordinary role in his life and in his death in bringing people together.

"So of course when a member of the Kinnock family asked me for a photograph, I thought it was only polite to say yes."

Perhaps in my defence, you should always remember that the television cameras are always on

Prime Minister David Cameron

The picture was taken as more than 90 world leaders joined more than 100,000 South Africans to pay tribute and celebrate the life of Mr Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Soweto.

The photographer who took the picture said the trio were "simply acting like human beings".

Roberto Schmidt, who works for news agency AFP, said: "I took these photos totally spontaneously, without thinking about what impact they might have.

"At the time, I thought the world leaders were simply acting like human beings, like me and you. I doubt anyone could have remained totally stony-faced for the duration of the ceremony, while tens of thousands of people were celebrating in the stadium.

"For me, the behaviour of these leaders in snapping a selfie seems perfectly natural."

Barack Obama with Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt at the Mandela memorial [REUTERS]

A Number 10 Downing Street spokesman was asked about whether Mr Cameron's actions were appropriate at a Westminster media briefing today.

The spokesman said: "I think what the PM would say about yesterday is it was very much a celebration of Nelson Mandela and his life and his achievements.

"I am sure many of us were watching the pictures from it and I think it did come across, and rightly so, as a marking and a celebration of Mr Mandela's life. You had plenty of words from the Prime Minister and leaders from around the world that attest to that."

Many took offence at the selfie with Twitter user James Armitage saying: "What selfish morons take a 'selfie' at a memorial service? Oh yeah that's right, Barack Obama and David Cameron."

Sarah McDermott sent a direct tweet to Mr Cameron which said: "You have precisely zero class or decorum."

However, a number of Twitter users defended the memorial service selife including Moya Arewa from Canada.

The user tweeted: "I don't think the Danish PM's selfie with Obama and Cameron is as disrespectful as everyone is making it seem."