Australian minister blames hackers over Twitter porn 'like' Published duration 16 November 2017

image copyright Getty Images image caption Christopher Pyne is Australia's minister for defence industry

An Australian government minister has said hackers are responsible for a "like" on his Twitter account to a pornographic video.

The activity on Minister for Defence Industry Christopher Pyne's profile at about 02:00 local time on Thursday (15:00 GMT Wednesday) was pointed out by other Twitter users.

Mr Pyne said hackers had possibly liked the gay pornography as "mischief" after Australia's same-sex marriage vote.

The "like" has since been removed.

image copyright Twitter/@cpyne

On Wednesday, Australians learned they had overwhelmingly voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage in a historic poll. Parliament is now debating changing the law.

He said he was asleep when the Twitter activity took place.

Some Twitter users responded to his explanation with scepticism, while others raised concerns over possible security implications.

image copyright Twitter/@csmagor

image copyright Twitter/matttburke

One independent senator, Cory Bernardi, said it should prompt a "full investigation and report in case [it is a] foreign agent trying to influence elections".