Coalition MPs’ horror over Peter Dutton’s ‘brain snap’ interview

Coalition MPs have reacted in horror to Peter Dutton’s “brain snap” interview, with one Cabinet minister saying of the outburst: “maybe he is just an egotistical moron who lacks self awareness?”

Coalition MPs have reacted in horror to Peter Dutton’s “brain snap” interview which has reopened deep leadership wounds with an extraordinary attack at former PM Malcolm Turnbull.

Marginal seat MPs in three states on Sunday told the Herald Sun that the Home Affairs Minister had done “more harm than good” by outlining his reasons why Mr Turnbull had to go in August this year.

While publicly no government would speak to Mr Dutton’s outburst, many questioned his motives to reignite internal division ahead of an election year.

PETER DUTTON UNLEASHES ON MALCOLM TURNBULL

In a sign of a major split at the highest levels of government, one Cabinet minister said of Mr Dutton’s outburst: “maybe he is just an egotistical moron who lacks self awareness?”

Another MP wondered who Mr Dutton was to be questioning Mr Turnbull’s political judgment given he had chosen to re-open bitter divisions within the government months only before the election.

A senior Liberal said: “What on earth motivates that? I just don’t get why do this now.”

Mr Dutton described Mr Turnbull as “charming and affable” but said he did not have a “political bone in his body”.

Some Coalition MPs say Home Affairs Minister has done “more harm than good” by outlining his reasons why Malcolm Turnbull had to go in August. Picture: AAP/Lukas Coch

He said his behaviour since leaving office was “worse than any behaviour we saw even under (Kevin) Rudd”.

“Malcolm had a plan to become Prime Minister but no plan to be Prime Minister,” Mr Dutton said.

“He didn’t have John Howard’s touch or judgment nor his ability to convey a message. We went from three-word slogans under Tony (Abbott) to 3000 under Malcolm and our achievements weren’t effectively communicated as a result.”

Mr Turnbull did not respond to Mr Dutton’s attacks on Sunday, instead posting pictures of an early morning kayak on Sydney Harbour.

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