New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key is embroiled in a row over whether he called the LA Galaxy football star David Beckham "thick" during anevent with students. 

Key was grilled by a tv presenter over the insulting comments he is said to have made, and which caused a social media storm.

A New Zealand radio station claims Key described legendary footballer David Beckham as "a nice guy" but then used colourful language to deride his intelligence.

Today, Key said he did not want to elaborate on comments he said were off the cuff and off the record.

Key's comments have been ridiculed across the Twittersphere.

Former England football captain Beckham was one of London's celebrity Olympic ambassadors and took part in the opening ceremony.

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