West Australian Premier Mark McGowan has told the Federal Court he and his family have been subjected to death threats for which he, in part, blames on mining magnate Clive Palmer spreading false information about him, creating a “band of angry people in our community”.

In a cross-claim against Mr Palmer – who brought a defamation action against him – Mr McGowan alleges the billionaire implied he was corrupt and used the parliamentary system to oversee the passing of laws designed to protect him against criminal acts he intended to commit. The Premier gave evidence on Monday.