New Zealand PM John Key apologizes over ponytail 'bullying' claim

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has apologized for pulling the ponytail of a waitress who accused him of bullying.

The 63-year-old Prime Minister had repeatedly tugged on an Auckland waitress' ponytail, who regarded this as that he had, a pattern of conduct she regarded as harassment, the Guardian reported.

Through a spokesperson, the prime minister apologised for the hair-pulling, saying it was never his intention to make her feel uncomfortable, but did not dispute the waitress's version of events.

Speaking at Los Angeles airport while en route to Turkey, Key repeated the apology, saying that there were a lot of fun and games at the cafe and lots of practical jokes.

He added that the hair-pulling had taken place in the context of a bit of banter and had apologised to her when he realised she took offence, adding that when he gave her the wine and apologised, the waitress had told him, "that's all right, no drama.