Key's botched handshake clip taken off YouTube

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YouTube has mysteriously taken down a popular video clip of Prime Minister John Key's awkward three-way handshake with victorious All Black captain Richie McCaw and International Rugby Board chairman Bernard Lapasset.

The clip of Mr Lapasset presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to Rugby World Cup 2011-winning skipper McCaw, followed by the botched handshake involving the three men, had been viewed more than 20,000 times by Tuesday morning.

But it was no longer available early yesterday, with a message saying: "This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by International Rugby Board."

But IRB spokesman Dominic Rumbles said the clip had not been taken down at the IRB's request.

News access regulations surrounding the tournament meant any video of the event could be posted on YouTube as long as it was done at least 10 minutes after the final whistle of the relevant match.

"There would be no reason for us to ask for it to be taken down."

The IRB was making inquiries to find out what had happened.

Mr Key yesterday said he was surprised the clip had been removed.

"They should leave it up there as far as I'm concerned, I'm not bothered by it."

Other versions of the clip remain on YouTube and it can also be viewed at nzherald.co.nz.