Christopher Pyne’s leak shows ‘political hit’: Tony Abbott

TONY Abbott has accused Christopher Pyne of “disloyalty” and has said it was now clear that Malcolm Turnbull’s overthrow was a “long-prepared political hit”.

• Revealed: Christopher Pyne’s gay marriage speech
• PM spins same-sex marriage leak

TONY Abbott has accused Christopher Pyne of “disloyalty” and has said it was now clear that Malcolm Turnbull’s overthrow was a “long-prepared political hit”.

The former prime minister told The Daily Telegraph that revelations by General David Petraeus at the Federal Liberal Council on Friday, that Mr Turnbull had indicated to him he would fight for the top job, show the attack on his leadership was far from spontaneous.

“(We’re seeing) more evidence that the events of September 14, 2015 were a long-prepared political hit,” Mr Abbott said.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has launched an attack on his colleague Christopher Pyne. Picture: Ch 7

On Ray Hadley’s 2GB program, Mr Abbott also accused Mr Pyne of “disloyalty” and of not being “fair dinkum” with voters, warning the Liberal Party was bleeding support to fringe groups on the right, such as One Nation and Cory Bernardi.

“You need to have a strong and sensible centre-right party otherwise people start drifting off to the fringe,” he said.

Andrew Bolt: Pyne drops Malcolm Turnbull’s plan for Liberals on same-sex marriage

Christopher Pyne on the ABC’s Q&A.

Mr Abbott has accused Mr Pyne of disloyalty. Picture: AAP

Mr Abbott said to introduce gay marriage without a plebiscite would be a “breach of faith”.

Mr Abbott also accused Mr Pyne — a Cabinet member of his government — of being disloyal after he was caught on tape saying he’d backed Mr Turnbull in every leadership ballot.

“If you are a member of a Cabinet you have to be loyal,” he said.