Furious Liberals turn up the heat on Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce

A FRESH attempt to remove Barnaby Joyce as leader could come from the Nationals when parliament resumes later this month, as furious Liberals vow he must go.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce. Picture: AAP

A FEUD between Barnaby Joyce and Malcolm Turnbull is threatening to tear down the federal government, after the Deputy Prime Minister launched an ­extraordinary attack on the PM.

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The Nationals leader — under intense pressure to quit over the scandal which has ended his 24-year marriage — lashed out at Mr Turnbull’s condemnation of his affair with a staffer, calling the criticism “inept”, “harmful” and “unnecessary”.

Mr Joyce also told the PM and other Liberals to butt out of Nationals leadership issues, claiming the more they interfered, the more his party-room support grew. But furious Liberals were last night vowing Mr Joyce had to go or be sacked.

The Herald Sun understands a fresh attempt to remove him as leader could come from the Nationals when parliament resumes later this month.

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Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce addresses the media at Parliament House. Picture Gary Ramage

The threat of civil war within the ­Coalition was last night described as the greatest in 30 years, risking any re-­election chance the government has.

The performance of Mr Joyce has left Liberal MPs fuming. “Barnaby has to go otherwise he’s going to drag the whole government down,” one said.

Another warned: “It’s going to get worse, not better.” He added that Mr Joyce’s latest remarks “make you question his contrition ... the guy needs a spell on the backbench and then to f--- off”.

Mr Joyce said on Friday Mr Turnbull’s criticism of him on Thursday and imposition of a sex ban between ministers and staff had “caused further harm”.

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said he hopes to continue to work with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. Picture Gary Ramage

The Deputy PM hit out at Mr Turnbull for saying the Nationals leader should “consider his options” over his “appalling” affair with his now pregnant staffer, Vikki Campion.

Before heading off on a week’s personal leave, Mr Joyce returned fire over the PM’s comments, saying: “I believe they were, in many instances, inept and most definitely, in many instances, unnecessary. All that is going to do is basically once more pull the scab off for everyone to have a look.”

Mr Turnbull had ­another go later on Friday, saying: “I’ve seen Barnaby’s press conference (today) and, look, I understand it’s a very stressful time.”

He added: “I have not sought in any way to influence the deliberations of the National Party. Expressing disapproval or criticism of Barnaby’s own conduct is not criticism of the party.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has condemned Barnaby Joyce’s affair. Picture: AAP

Indeed, the sentiments that I expressed on Friday — which I stand by, but I don’t need to repeat again now — those sentiments are quite consistent with those ­expressed by many members of the National Party itself.”

Mr Joyce said on Friday he was hoping to continue to work with Mr Turnbull. “I am intending to make sure that, like all relationships, this relationship gets back on to an even keel,” he said.

A handful of National MPs were also seething over Mr Turnbull’s remarks on Thursday, saying they invited open season on assessing the PM’s leadership.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, with Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek, has said the government is in crisis. Picture: AAP

One told the Herald Sun it had placed a “huge strain on the Coalition agreement” and it was a “dog’s act” for Mr Turnbull to be so personal. But others said Mr Joyce’s judgment had become too erratic and unpredictable for him to continue.

However, one Liberal Cabinet minister said the ­crisis was “sortable”. “They have to sit down and they have to sort it out,” he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said: “This government is in a full-blown political crisis. The Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are at war ... This cannot be allowed to continue.”

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