Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says she had no choice but to withdraw support for the state’s top police officer after union members voted against him in a no-confidence motion, amid a long-running dispute with the government over pay and resources.

Allan was in crisis control mode on Monday as she was repeatedly pressed about whether she or Police Minister Anthony Carbines informed Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton during the weekend that he would have to go, barely two weeks after Carbines voiced public support for him.