Rex Patrick accused of fudging details of joint ticket offer with Nick Xenophon for the 2022 federal election

Nick Xenophon says his former ally Rex Patrick has “misled” the public over an offer to be senate running mates.

Independent senator Rex Patrick has been accused of fudging details about an offer he made to former ally Nick Xenophon to run together on a joint ticket in the federal election.

At the National Press Club on Monday, Senator Patrick confirmed he asked Mr Xenophon last year if he wanted to join forces but only if he revealed details of his legal work with banned Chinese tech giant Huawei. “I did offer to work with (Mr Xenophon) but that would always be on the condition that he needs to be open and transparent about what he was paid, what his roles were and any obligations he has outstanding in relation to Huawei,” Senator Patrick said.

Senator Rex Patrick. Picture: Sky news

Nick Xenophon handing out election pamphlets in Rundle Mall to drum up support for his latest federal senate bid. Picture: Brenton Edwards

The SA senator later clarified that he had never actually raised Huawei with Mr Xenophon.

“I never meant to suggest I had had the conversation, just that we would need to have done so if we got to talking turkey,” Senator Patrick said.

Mr Xenophon said “that’s not what it sounded like at the Press Club”.

Originally published as Rex Patrick accused of fudging details of joint ticket offer with Nick Xenophon for the 2022 federal election