Mr Key was much more reluctant to comment on the issue yesterday, saying he had a country to run.
But he could not resist a swipe at Mr Goff over his handling of the issue in light of revelations Mrs Choudary's husband is a convicted immigration fraud.
Kumar Akkineni Choudary was convicted for his role in an elaborate scam and sentenced to 125 hours' community work in February.
The scam tricked more than 20 Indian and Chinese immigrants into paying between $3000 and $22,000 for job offers to submit to Immigration NZ to get residency.
The jobs did not exist, and the "employers" got a cut.
"I think Phil Goff needs to assess his own performance here," Mr Key said in Auckland.
"He is, from what I can see, half wallowing around in the gutter here.
"From my point of view, I have a country to run."
Mr Key confirmed yesterday he had received an email from Mrs Choudary with a written summary of the text messages and phone calls she says she received from Dr Worth - 40 texts and 60 phone calls.
But he said he would not discuss its contents.
"The letter specifically says `I forbid you from discussing or releasing this information.'"At the end of the day, I am respecting her wishes."
Mr Key said he would not meet Mrs Choudary because she had supplied only a written summary of the contact she had had and not any actual texts and emails.
Mr Goff has criticised Mr Key for not meeting Mrs Choudary to discuss what Mr Goff has described as job offers followed by suggestions of a relationship.
Dr Worth denied inappropriate contact and when the issue became public last week, Mr Key said if the woman had evidence to the contrary, that could be grounds to remove Dr Worth from the caucus.
Dr Worth has already resigned as a minister and is facing a policy inquiry after a complaint of a sexual nature from another woman.
Dr Worth has not commented since announcing his resignation and taking two weeks leave from Parliament.
Mr Key said he was not sure if Dr worth would be at the caucus next Tuesday when the leave runs out but he suggested again Dr Worth consider his future.
Asked if that meant he wanted him to resign he said: "He can read into it what he wants but all I know is I have washed my hands of him."
