The Rock deletes tweet praising Boris Johnson

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has deleted a tweet praising new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The Hollywood actor appeared to endorse his namesake in a tweet, saying he liked a part of the politician’s speech.

But he was forced to backtrack and the tweet was deleted within 15 minutes after social media users railed against the star.

The former wrestler tweeted: “Breaking: PM Boris Johnson is in fact my cousin [though we clearly look more like twins].

“Jokes aside, PM did say something in his speech I liked – ‘the people are our bosses’.

“100% agree. The people/audience/consumer will always matter most. #ourboss.”

In a later tweet, he confirmed he was not in fact related to the Conservative Party leader.

“Well according to the people, maybe we’re not related after all,” he wrote.

“Big mahalo to my people who I can always rely on to give me the real talk and swift perspective & education on the individual I did not know.

“Tequila on me, Britain.”

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Some social media users praised the actor for going back on his comments, with one person saying: “Big respect for this tweet, you’re a stand up guy, nothing like our current PM.”

Another wrote: “You’re definitely not related. Admitting honest mistakes is definitely a million miles away from what the PM would of done in this scenario.”

Others criticised Johnson for backtracking and said he should “explore all sides of the debate”.

One Twitter user wrote: “Yes, nothing like the outrage mob to give you an ‘education’. Love you and Boris.”

Although the pair might not be cousins, they could have more in common in the future, as The Rock has teased the idea of running for political office.

After a flurry of excitement around him running for the 2020 presidential elections, Johnson was forced to deny he would be running.

“I feel like the best thing I can do now is, give me years. Let me go to work and learn,” he said.