Immigration Minister Peter Dutton apologises for text message to journalist Samantha Maiden

THE journalist Immigration Minister Peter Dutton dubbed a “witch” in a message he accidentally sent her has accepted his apology.

The journalist Immigration Minister Peter Dutton dubbed a “witch” in a message he accidentally sent her says it was a “solid “sledge”, but has accepted his apology.

Samantha Maiden, the political editor for New Corp’s Sunday papers, received a text from the minister labelling her a “mad f***ing witch”, after penning a column critical of his colleague Jamie Briggs.

The message was reportedly intended for Mr Briggs, who has stepped down after acting inappropriately towards a diplomat while on an overseas trip.

“It’s a solid sledge,” she told the Nine Network on Monday.

“I sent him a text immediately saying `you know mate, you’ve sent that mad witch text to the mad witch’ and he was more than happy to apologise right away.”

News Corp political journalist Samantha Maiden. Picture: John Fotiadis

Not smiling now. Picture: AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

@randallgill I still like @PeterDutton_MP. I wouldn't describe it as a ca-text-strophe.

— Samantha Maiden (@samanthamaiden) January 3, 2016

Ms Maiden said Mr Dutton made the decision to own up, after she chose not to name him when appearing on Sunday television.

She hoped he doesn’t end up in the backbench in light of the message mix-up.

“Mr Dutton is a good minister, he’s a hard worker, he’s made a strong contribution to the government,” she said, adding there are more substantive issues in relation to the Briggs affair.

In a statement on Sunday evening Mr Dutton said he was expecting a tough time in the journalist’s next column.

“Sam and I have exchanged some robust language over the years so we had a laugh after this and I apologised to her straight away, which she took in good faith,” he said.

The Australian newspaper reported that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull had privately described the message as “completely inappropriate”.