Ed Sheeran claims Nicki Minaj's VMAs argument is 'redundant' as he backs friend Taylor Swift

Ed Sheeran has spoken out to support friend Taylor Swift after her Twitter row with Nicki Minaj.

The British pop star has claimed that Minaj's argument about being snubbed in the MTV VMA nominations doesn't stand up.

He told the Australian Daily Telegraph: "I think the Minaj point is a bit redundant."

Sheeran went on to say that Minaj's claim that you have to 'celebrate women with very slim bodies' in order to receive a Video of the Year nomination didn't make sense as Beyonce was included in the category.

He added: "Her point is that you have to be skinny and white to get a Video of the Year nomination, but Beyoncé's '7/11' is in there, and that is celebrating the female figure in every form."

Defending his friend, Sheeran added: "I think everyone knows that Taylor has done nothing wrong in that situation.

"She didn't nominate herself for the awards. She just made some good videos and people think they're good."

Sheeran's defence of Swift comes after Katy Perry waded into the row, to chide Swift for being a hypocryte.

The pop star seemed miffed by the fact that Swift was calling out Minaj for 'pitting women against each other' when her hit Bad Blood did just that.

Perry tweeted: "Finding it ironic to parade the pit women against other women argument about as one unmeasurably capitalizes on the take down of a woman... (sic)."

Swift's original response to Minaj read: "I've done nothing but love & support you. It's unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot."