A veteran reporter found himself at the centre of a social media storm after an ill-judged tweet about a newsreader's choice of footwear.

Veteran journalist and former editor John Nurden posted his tweet on Saturday morning to question BBC presenter Naga Munchetty's on-air style.

He said: "I’m not known for my own sartorial elegance but why would anyone like Naga Munchetty feel the need to wear high-heeled shoes like these on a BBC TV breakfast news programme? Discuss..."

Thousands of users took exception to his suggestion she should have opted for different footwear and Ms Munchetty has since retweeted his question with the response: "Because I want to."

Her tweet has so far been liked more than 220,000 times, while John's original comment has received more than 8,000 replies - almost all of them saying Ms Munchetty's choice of footwear was none of his business.

The topic began trending in the UK, with 'Naga' at one point second until rumours of North Korean despot Kim Jong Un's death overtook her.

'John Nurden' was the 14th most popular topic in the nation at the time of writing, something he never saw coming.

John, who writes for the Sheerness Times Guardian and also contributes to KentOnline said: "At the end of what I thought was a light-hearted tweet, I finished with the word 'Discuss'.

"I had no idea that so many people would decide to take me up on that offer.

"Let me make it clear that I think Naga's shoes are sensational and my tweet was in no-way intended to suggest that she shouldn't wear them.

"I apologise if I offended anyone, especially Naga, who is a very respected presenter and is entitled to wear whatever she wants."

Mr Nurden, a former editor of the now-defunct Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay Times newspapers, added: "I shall, of course, be keeping my thoughts on fashion to myself from now on."

Fellow reporter Julia Roberts was quick to point out Ms Munchetty was probably wearing the shoes because they were "to die for".

Other's have slammed the comments as "misogynist" and pointed out how Ms Munchetty's clothing has nothing to do with anyone but her.

"What a ridiculous question. Because she can wear what she wants. Why do you wear a tie? Utter rubbish," responded one user.

While his opinion on her fashion choice has gone down badly with many on the social networking site others have pointed to his own dress sense as evidence of clear hypocrisy.

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