Keith Pitt rules himself out of leadership spill against Nationals leader David Littleproud

Keith Pitt has ruled himself out of any leadership spill against Nationals leader David Littleproud.

Former Resources Minister Keith Pitt has ruled himself out of any leadership spill against Nationals leader David Littleproud, after rumblings over the weekend of a spill named him as a potential challenger.

Critics of Mr Littleproud had argued he had lost the confidence of his colleagues, claimed he had a tendency to lose his temper and questioned his relationship with Opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Hinkler MP Keith Pitt.

Mr Pitt, who along with former leader Barnaby Joyce was floated as a potential replacement, talked down the chances and said he had not been doing the numbers.

“While there has been some very generous commentary, and of course some not so generous, you can rule me out. I haven’t asked a single member of the Nationals party room for their vote,” Mr Pitt said.

Mr Joyce has also said there will be no challenge and ruled himself out as well.

“I’m not challenging for the leadership, there you go. 100 per cent,” Mr Joyce told Channel 7.

While there has been some discontent with Mr Littleproud’s leadership, it is understood no one has been doing the numbers.

Parliament is not sitting against until July 31, which makes it difficult for a spill to be called without an extraordinary meeting and MPs flying in from across the country.

Nationals leader David Littleproud. Picture: Martin Ollman

Mr Littleproud has played down the talk as “bruised egos”.

“We’re all on borrowed time in politics. Don’t worry about that. No matter your political party,” he said on Sunday.

Mr Littleproud became Nationals leader in May 2022, replacing Mr Joyce as leader following to election loss which automatically triggers a spill.