Tony Abbott tries to broker peace between John Pesutto and Moira Deeming

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has become involved in the defamation stoush between Opposition Leader John Pesutto and Moira Deeming.

Former prime minister Tony Abbott has become personally involved in the ongoing defamation stoush between John Pesutto and Moira Deeming in a bid to bring the potentially damaging legal drama to an end.

Amid fears the state-based feud is having far-reaching consequences ahead of a looming federal election, Mr Abbott has been working to broker a peace deal between the pair to try and keep the defamation case out of court.

Multiple Liberal Party sources have told the Herald Sun Mr Abbott’s involvement followed concerns by the party’s federal arm that the legal case will negatively impact their election chances.

Mr Pesutto first moved to expel Mrs Deeming from his partyroom in March last year on the eve of the Aston by-election.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott is trying to broker a peace deal between John Pesutto and Moira Deeming in a bid to try to keep a defamation case out of court. Picture: Martin Ollman

The move enraged federal Liberals, including opposition leader Peter Dutton, who blamed the subsequent by-election loss at least in part to the internal scandal which had embroiled the Victorian branch.

They fear a mooted three week Federal Court trial risks embroiling the entire party in unnecessary scandal.

Multiple affidavits have now been filed in the case, which is scheduled to begin in September, as well as expert reports which could see Victorian MPs publicly at odds with each other.

Liberal elders believe a trial would inevitably aggravate an existing split within the party and could ultimately pose a threat to Mr Pesutto’s leadership.

In May Mr Pesutto settled two separate defamation cases out of court with women’s rights activists Kellie-Jay Keen and Angela Jones

Mr Pesutto first moved to expel Mrs Deeming from his partyroom in March last year on the eve of the Aston by-election. Picture: Zionism Victoria

The move prompted increased pressure on the leader to settle his case with Mrs Deeming amid fears it was distracting from his capacity to do his job and damaging the Liberal brand.

Mr Pesutto has repeatedly insisted he was ready and willing to settle Mrs Deeming’s matter privately, but has said any settlement would not include her returning to the partyroom.

However multiple sources familiar with the case said any private settlement would likely include a path for Mrs Deeming’s return.

The case against Mr Pesutto relies on media releases, press conferences and interviews he gave following the Let Women Speak rally.

As part of his campaign to expel her Mr Pesutto compiled and distributed a 15-page dossier of evidence backing his case.

Mr Pesutto has repeatedly insisted he was ready and willing to settle Mrs Deeming’s matter privately. Picture: Arsineh Houspian

In it, he accused her of having Nazi links and “conducting activities in a manner likely to bring discredit on the parliament or the Parliamentary Party.”

On Monday night Mr Abbott attended a Liberal Party function in North Ringwood, in Melbourne’s east, alongside Mrs Deeming.

Sources said he criticised the Victorian division of the party for failing to stand by Mrs Deeming, warning voters wouldn’t take the party seriously if it couldn’t defend one of its own.

Last year Mr Abbott personally lobbied MPs to save Mrs Deeming from expulsion.