Opposition Leader Peter Dutton feared a furore over Victorian MP Moira Deeming’s attendance at an anti-trans rally that was gatecrashed by neo-Nazis would derail the Liberals’ campaign in a key byelection last year, telling his state counterpart to “put the issue to bed” and stop talking to the press.

The messages were read out to the Federal Court on Monday during the first day of a three-week trial that threatens to destroy the stability of the state Liberal Party and cost John Pesutto his leadership.