Ministers Marise Payne, Paul Fletcher deny being Scott Morrison text leak

Two senior ministers have denied rumours they are the source of texts that allegedly described Scott Morrison as a “fraud” and “psycho”.

Two senior NSW federal ministers have denied rumours they are the source of texts exchanged with former premier Gladys Berejiklian highly critical of Scott Morrison.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne and Communications Minister Paul Fletcher have both rejected suggestions they were behind the leaking of texts describing the Prime Minister as a “psycho” and “fraud,” which have been attributed to a current federal cabinet minister.

Ms Payne said she could “categorically” say the claims had “nothing to do with me”.

Foreign Minister Marise Payne. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gary Ramage

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

“I have never had such an exchange with the former premier, nor have I ever used such language, and nor did I leak messages, if indeed they are genuine,” she said.

“It is ludicrous to suggest otherwise.”

Ms Payne said she would also “reject the descriptions” of Mr Morrison in the “purported messages”.

“They do not match my long experience of working with him,” she said.

“He is the best person to lead this country now and into the future.”

Mr Fletcher, a fellow NSW Liberal moderate, was also asked if he was responsible for the texts and said: “no”.

BARNABY JOYCE URGES PM TEXT LEAK TO ‘OUT’ THEMSELVES

The cabinet minister who allegedly called Scott Morrison a “psycho” and “fraud” in texts sent to former premier Gladys Berejiklian should “out” themselves as the leak before someone else does, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce says.

Mr Joyce told reporters in Tamworth on Wednesday the unnamed senior Liberal at the centre of the explosive text exchange with Ms Berejiklian criticising the Prime Minister that “like 3000 people know who this is”.

Though he refused to reveal the minister’s identity himself, Mr Joyce warned it was likely a journalist would out them if they didn’t come forward first.

Barnaby Joyce said “like 3000 people know who [the text leak] is”. Picture: NCA/ Gary Ramage

“I would suggest that if you know anything about this don’t wait to be outed, out yourself,” he said.

“And give an explanation.

“Maybe it was a bad day in the office, I don’t know. That’s a better way to do it.”

Mr Joyce was forced to clarify his comments on Wednesday afternoon when it was initially reported he had confirmed the unnamed minister was a woman. His office explained any reference to “she” in Mr Joyce’s comments was in the colloquial sense as in the common Australian phrase, “she’ll be right”.

Despite the Prime Minister being adamant the minister supposedly behind the leak is not a member of his own cabinet, the journalist who revealed the texts said otherwise.

Mr Morrison was questioned by Network 10 political editor Peter van Onselen at the National Press Club on Tuesday about text messages reportedly between former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian and an unnamed senior federal Liberal minister.

Scott Morrison said on Wednesday he was grateful for Ms Berejiklian’s support.

Ms Berejiklian allegedly described Mr Morrison as a “horrible, horrible person”, while the minister was more scathing, calling the Prime Minister a “fraud” and “complete psycho”.

Van Onselen told ABC on Wednesday morning that the unnamed minister in question had been the one who sent him the conversations.

“The minister is the source. I didn’t get these from a third party. The minister sent me the text messages and I’ve got the screenshots,” van Onselen said.

Gladys Berejiklian did not deny the comments. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

“I’ve got all the detail that go beyond just having the screenshots to make sure that this minister isn’t even making it up … but as a consequence, the deal done is that I wouldn’t out the minister.

“A current minister … (that is) the only thing that I clarify. I didn’t want people to think it was a former minister.”

When Mr Morrison was asked about the texts at a press conference on Wednesday, he said he “had confidence” that the minister in question was not one from his cabinet.

In addition, he confirmed no one had come forward to claim responsibility for the leaks, and nor would he be asking his office to investigate.

KEAN: ‘I DON’T BELIEVE’ I LEAKED THE TEXTS

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean doesn’t “believe” he leaked the text exchange.

During a live radio interview on Wednesday morning, Mr Kean was asked if he had any involvement in leaking the messages to van Onselen or if he was the minister Ms Berejiklian had been texting.

He repeatedly dodged questions put to him, juggling between having “no record” of the texts to then denying any involvement.

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean. Picture Gaye Gerard / NCA Newswire.

“I was not involved in the ambush on the Prime Minister yesterday. I was not involved in these messages, I’ve got no record of them,” Mr Kean told 2GB.

“I’ve played no part in this”.

When asked directly if he had leaked the exchange to van Onselen, Mr Kean replied; “I don’t believe so”.

He said he had “no record” of calling Prime Minister Scott Morrison a ‘complete psycho’.

“I’ve got no record of that,” Mr Kean said.

“I’ve been through my messages. I’ve got no reason to believe I’ve referred to the prime minister in that way.”

The Treasurer did not provide a clear answer when asked if he had cleared his text message history and then “absolutely” denied he was involved.

“This is completely insulting. I’m friends with the (former) premier and I love the NSW Government,” he said.

“(This leak) has no place in the Liberal Party today. It was not me.

“It’s just outrageous and I’m here denying it.”

LIBERAL MP CALLS FOR LEAKER TO QUIT

Jason Falinski. Picture Kym Smith

Federal MP Jason Falinski has lashed out at the unknown leaker saying it spoke more about their character than it did about Scott Morrison or Ms Berejiklian.

“It’s absolutely appalling. This is one person who has gone rogue … showing off to a journalist,” he said on Wednesday morning.

“Frankly, it’s speaking more about who that person is.”

Mr Falinski played down rumours the leaked text had possibly emerged from someone in Canberra, saying he was more confident that it had come from within state politics.

Asked whether he believed the leaker should resign if ever identified, the Member for Mackellar wholeheartedly agreed.

“We all say things privately … but to actually take it and use it publicly … it’s beyond trust,” Mr Falinski.

“Whoever leaked it has basically thrown Gladys Berejiklian under the bus.

“I just don’t believe it’s a federal Minister. I just don’t believe that story.”

In a statement released on Tuesday, Ms Berejiklian reiterated her “strong support” for Mr Morrison. She did not deny making the comments but said she had “no recollection of such messages”.