Becks slams Joey Barton's 'sweat shop gruds' comments

London, Feb 7 (ANI): David Beckham has hit back at Joey Barton's claims that his new underwear range were made in a "sweat shop".

The 36-year-old footie star has his line of pants for H and M made in China where the highest minimum wage for factory staff is 95 pence an hour.

Barton, 29, tweeted it was outrageous Beckham's "gruds" were made in a "sweat shop".

But a spokesman for the LA Galaxy star insisted that the range was being stitched "under the strictest ethical guidelines".

He also said anyone who accused Beckham of using child labour was a "madman" as the footballer was himself an ambassador for UNICEF.

Barton had made his comments after a 2.2 million-pound ad for his H and M Bodywear collection was broadcast to millions during the Super Bowl.

"Not arsed if they're Beckham's or not. 9.99 pounds for a pair of gruds for H and M is an outrage," the Daily Star quoted the QPR footballer as tweeting.

"Do one, Becks. They cost about 1 penny to make in a sweat shop in the Third World.

"Is there no limit to what 'Brand Beckham' will endorse for a pound note?" he wrote.

H and M refused to say what factory in China they were using for the underwear range but the firm said that workers were paid "at least the statutory minimum wage". (ANI)