New Zealand Prime Minister John Key wades into Aaron Smith toilet row after scrum-half was seen entering disabled cubicle with mystery woman

NEW ZEALAND Prime Minister John Key blasted Aaron Smith for "cheating on his girlfriend in disabled toilet" at Christchurch Airport.

The All Black was sent home from South Africa in disgrace after entering the cubicle for "5-10 minutes" with a mystery woman on a busy Sunday afternoon - in full view of families.

I myself did not have a problem with this - my wife however is protesting that this is disgusting

Eyewitness

PM Key said: "He clearly let himself and those that are close to him down.

"I think there's no question about that. And he'll have to reflect on that, and I'm sure the New Zealand Rugby Football Union will reflect on that.

"They do try and prove to young New Zealanders that they're the sort of people to look up to.

"That's why I think Aaron will feel pretty disappointed in himself.

"And I think the NZRU, coming off the back of a few other pretty poor PR issues in recent times will want to send a strong message to the All Blacks that they have a high level of expectation of their behaviour.

"I suspect he'll be sitting back reflecting on the fact that he's let himself down... and frankly he's embarrassed himself a bit."

He buttoned up his shirt and sat back down with his teammates and carried on smiling, chatting like nothing had happened.

Eyewitness

A witness told the NZ Herald he was with his wife and kids when they saw Smith "sneak" into a wheelchair cubicle with a young woman who was not girlfriend Teagan Voykovich.

He said: "The pair were in the bathroom for 5-10 minutes and from the noises coming out of the bathroom there was absolutely no question what the couple were doing in there.

"Mr Smith then came out of the room on his own, straightening up his white checked shirt and black dress pants (the All Blacks uniform they were all wearing at the time).

"About a minute later the young lady comes out of the same toilet cubicle looking equally suspicious. I myself did not have a problem with this - my wife however is protesting that this is disgusting for a public figure to do.

"He essentially occupied a public cubicle reserved for the disabled for up to 10 minutes. This was not discreet, it was 2pm on a Sunday where there were a lot of children and fans around. He was in his full All Blacks uniform and there was not an ounce of remorse or regret on his face.

"He buttoned up his shirt and sat back down with his teammates and carried on smiling, chatting like nothing had happened."

Smith has been suspended for one game over the incident that happened after a home test against the Springboks three weeks ago.

He broke down in tears as he apologised on a television interview before making his flight home.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said: "Clearly Aaron is bitterly disappointed in his behaviour and feels he has let the team down but just as importantly he feels bitterly disappointed in letting his family and his partner down."

Christchurch Airport added: "Like many public facilities, we have disabled facilities.

"We don't condone inappropriate behaviour at our airport and we understand that matters are being dealt with."