Paris attacks: Rob Lowe criticised for 'insensitive' and 'ignorant' tweets

The actor criticised President Hollande's speech in the immediate aftermath of the attacks

Lowe's tweets were rendered 'insensitive' by Twitter users ( Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Rob Lowe has received criticism for tweets he wrote in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris.

As news broke of the attacks on Friday night, Lowe took to Twitter during President François Hollande’s address to the country.

As the French President announced a closure of the borders, the actor wrote: "Oh, NOW France closes its borders."

He followed this up by criticising the speech itself, writing: "This is either the worst translation of an important speech ever, or one of the worst ever given."

His remarks sparked a backlash on social media, with Twitter users branding the West Wing actor “ignorant” and “insensitive”.

Lowe, 51, seemingly side-steeped the controversial tweets but later defended an earlier tweet he wrote which said: "Vive La France".

Addressing the “trolls” he said: “The phrase ‘Vive La France’ is the traditional expression of support for France. Don’t misinterpret my words.”

He added how he lived in France and spent “a ton of time there”, saying the attacks were “all so devastatingly sad for a place I love.”

Lowe is known for being outspoken on social media, previously criticising President Barack Obama for reportedly not meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and comparing Sony’s decision not to screen controversial film The Interview last year with the UK’s policy of appeasement to Hitler in the Second World War.

Kay Burley also faced criticism on social media after she posted a picture of a dog with ‘sadness in his eyes’ in Paris. Users said the presenter has “misjudged the mood” with the post.