Paul McCartney refuses to apologise for Bush gag

Sir Paul McCartney has refused to apologise for a joke he cracked on former president George W Bush during an appearance at the White House earlier this month.

The Beatles legend poked fun at the ex-leader's intellect as he became the first non-American to collect the Gershwin Prize for 'Popular Song' from Bush's successor, president Barack Obama.

"After the last eight years, it's great to have a President who knows where the library is," Macca said.

This comment by McCartney infuriated top US politician John Boehner, who demanded McCartney make a public apology for the gag.

But the singer has insisted that his comments shouldn't be taken so seriously - as it was just "a joke".

"I said that on purpose. And now all this (criticism), like I'm going to care? It was a joke. Hello, anybody there? It's a joke," the Daily Express quoted him as saying. 

"Has anyone ever watched Saturday Night Live? They joke about Bush all the time. As for a public apology, are they kidding?

"I was in two minds whether to say it and I actually waited until the President had gone because I didn't want to embarrass him or his family. But hey, come on, it's rock and roll. It wasn't a religious meeting and I'm allowed to make jokes," he added.