New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has found himself at the centre of a social media storm over insulting remarks he is reported to have made about football player David Beckham.
Mr Key appeared on television on Monday parrying questions over whether he had, as reported in New Zealand media, branded David Beckham, who plays for LA Galaxy and was a celebrity ambassador for the London 2012 Olympics, "thick as bat ----"
The media said Mr Key made the remark last week when telling school pupils about Beckham's visit to New Zealand in 2008 for an exhibition match between the LA Galaxy and the Oceania All-Stars in Auckland.
Radio New Zealand said Mr Key described Beckham as handsome and "a really nice guy" but "thick".
He was repeatedly asked on breakfast TV about his alleged comments.
"That is someone that thinks they have overheard a conversation I have had. I am not going to engage in that because otherwise I am engaging in every conversation that someone thinks I have," Mr Key said.
THE GUARDIAN: New Zealand PM accused of calling David Beckham 'thick': John Key reported to have insulted former England football captain during a school visit in Auckland » | Press Association | Monday, November 05, 2012
