Scott Morrison slams suggestions he has links to the ‘dangerous’ QAnon conspiracy cult

The PM has slammed suggestions he has any links to the “dangerous” QAnon conspiracy cult as the ABC delays its Four Corners episode.

Scott Morrison has slammed suggestions he has any links to the “dangerous” QAnon conspiracy cult that believes a cabal of Satan-worshipping paedophiles tried to undermine Donald Trump, or that his wife, Jenny has links through a family friend.

The Prime Minister lashed out at the ABC’s Four Corners program at a press conference in Canberra on Friday after reports the broadcaster had commissioned a program to examine the issue that has now been “placed on hold” following discussions with the Prime Minister’s office.

It follows widespread claims online that there was some significance to the Prime Minister referring to “ritual” sex abuse in a speech on institutional sex abuse.

The use of the term “ritual” is often deployed by QAnon supporters in the context of their belief that the world has been overtaken by Satan-worshipping paedophiles.

Mr Morrison said he wanted to make it clear there was no basis for any suggestion he or his family had links to a cult.

Scott Morrison. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“I find it deeply offensive that there would be any suggestion that I would have any involvement or support for such a dangerous organisation,’’ Mr Morrison said.

“I clearly do not.

“It is just also disappointing that Four Corners in their inquiries would seek to cast this aspersion, not just against me but by members of my own family.

“I just think that is really poor form.”

Last year a man’s QAnon Twitter account, BurnedSpy34, was permanently suspended for “engaging in coordinated harmful activity”. The man’s wife is a longstanding friend of Mrs Morrison who previously worked with her at Kirribilli House.

The US-based far-right “QAnon” conspiracy movement believes there is a secret “deep state” plot against Donald Trump has been investigated by the FBI as a domestic terrorism threat.

But the ABC’s managing director, David Anderson rejected reports that he “pulled” the program, prepared by multi-Walkley award-winning journalist Louise Milligan.

It follows Ms Milligan’s high profile defamation battle with former Attorney-General Christian Porter that he has now discontinued and will not pursue further.

“Any suggestion that I ‘pulled’ or ‘blocked’ the program is simply not true,” Mr Anderson told staff.

“I reviewed the material and made an editorial decision that it was not yet ready for broadcast, as any responsible editor-in-chief would,” he said.

“My exact words were: ‘Please take on board the feedback and keep going. There is nothing in the program that I can see is time sensitive. I would like a written response next week addressing the feedback. I know the team have worked on it for a while now, but frankly I would prefer we took our time to make it as strong as possible.’”

Conspiracy theories, driven by the global health crisis, are taking root in Europe more than ever, drawing inspiration from the QAnon movement in the United States. Picture: Stefan Wermuth/AFP

The ABC news director, Gaven Morris is understood to have “upwardly referred” the episode to the managing director ahead of his appearance at Senate estimates.

He has been recalled to give evidence to Parliament about the ABC’s legal battle with Mr Porter including claims that he offered a personal apology to Mr Porter at the conclusion of the legal matter over social media posts by Four Corners staff announcing the matter had been resolved without damages being paid.

“The ABC would not normally comment on the work of our journalists before their stories have been published, but in the interests of accuracy and transparency I am today compelled to put a few facts on the record,” Mr Anderson said.

“My feedback was encouraging to the team and supportive of the hard work they had invested in this story, but I also asked them to come back to me with details of how they had addressed my queries and concerns.”

The Guardian and Nine newspapers have also reported that the ABC’s political editor, Andrew Probyn, was asked to put a series of questions to Morrison at a press conference this week but declined to do so. Probyn declined to comment on the claims.

“In making a final decision about whether a program or other content is ready for broadcast or publication I consider all advice from the relevant team, ABC Editorial Policies and ABC Legal, among others,” Mr Anderson said. “I also trust my own judgement and knowledge about the high editorial standards that apply to all ABC content.”